Meals-on-wheels driver warns others to be on their guard

Agincare employee Vic Evans parked his van on Church Road, off Cricklade Street in Old Town, as he delivered a hot meal to a pensioner in Goddard Court around 1pm on Monday.

But when the 67-year-old returned three minutes later he found a wheel was clamped and his company faced a £180 release fee for a commercial vehicle.

Mr Evans, of Wroughton, said he failed to spot the warning sign put up by Whites Car Park Solutions just a week ago.

At least three other vehicles were also clamped on the same day by two enforcement operators from the firm.

“I was only gone for a few minutes and this happens,” said Mr Evans, who has been an Agincare driver for two-and-a-half years.

“There were no double yellow lines on the road, so I thought it would be all right.

“When I got back I couldn’t believe it.

“I gave the clamper a piece of my mind. If any good can come out of this I just want to warn others not to park where I did.”

A Whites Car Park Solutions worker, who did not want to give his name said Mr Evans should not have parked illegally.

He said: “We’ve got a job to do too – he has parked three metres away from a sign telling him his vehicle could be clamped.

“The signs have been up for about a week.”

The Kings Arms Hotel, located in Wood Street, owns the side road and have offered Mr Evans a free pass if he uses it in future.

Tara Davison, of Fullagarbrooks Solicitors, based in Cricklade Court, Old Town, was outraged by the action.

She said: “I think it’s disgusting they are picking on someone who is trying to do some good in the community.

“The pair of them were waiting in a car for people to park on the road and clamp the vehicle straight away.”

Agincare delivers about 300 hot meals every day to elderly people in Swindon.

The company was established in 1993 and Agincare now operates across much of the country. It is responsible for delivering major contracts for many large public sector organisations and care services.