CAMPAIGNERS who have been fighting for an end to clamping in Whitby's railway station car park have won the day.

To see previous stories on the campaign against clamping, click here.

Northern Rail, which owna the car park, has told the Whitby Gazette they will no longer clamp vehicles from 1 June.

But the news comes too late for another tourist, this time from Colorado in America, who was stung with a £100 fine as he shopped in the Co-op on his second night in the country.

Terry Stonerock e-mailed the Gazette to say he had been fined, despite using the same parking area earlier with no problems.

It was cases like this involving tourists that led to Whitby hotelier Dick Brew and tourism chief Charles Forgan forming Whitby Against Clamping, which was later backed by Whitby MP  Robert Goodwill  and town and borough councillors.

Carolyn Watson, from Northern Rail, said clamping firm Hadrian Traffic Management will be pulling out of the car park, although they will continue to operate at some other sites.

Signs will be taken down this weekend and people will be given a week's grace before ticket wardens begin to patrol the car park.

They will have the power to issue a £90 fine which, if paid within 14 days, will be reduced to £60.

She said: "Obviously we have been listening to people's concerns. We've been reviewing car parking across the business.

"We will give the system of ticket wardens a go. If that works then that's great."

Many tourists as well as locals have been clamped, having to pay the £125 release fee despite claiming they had failed to see the warning signs dotted around the car park or thinking it belonged to the Co-op or the council or was free after 6pm.

Whitby MP  Robert Goodwill  said: "It's absolutely superb news and a victory for common sense.

"It just shows how pressure brought to bear by local people can actually have some effect."

Mr Goodwill said he would still like the car park to be made free after 6pm in line with other car parks in Whitby and he hopes this can be looked at.

In a joint statement, Mr Brew and Mr Forgan said they were very pleased to learn the clampers are to withdraw from the car park.

They said: "It is understood that Northern Rail is to make alternative enforcement arrangements and we therefore look forward to the early removal of the clamping signage, which shall signify the end of the clamping regime.

"It is accepted that parking must be controlled and managed, including appropriate enforcement fines, and hope that Northern Rail and their new agents will consult with Whitby Town Council on the new arrangements.

"We would advise that the emphasis should be on management rather than enforcement and that those penalties are proportionate and even handed."

The pair said without people's support and the spotlight being thrown on the issue by the Whitby Gazette, little would have been achieved and they wanted to thank everyone who has been involved.

Whitby Gazette 22 May 2008