ELECTRICAL engineer Phil Perkins reacted with horror when he saw Sureway's latest weapon in the High Wycombe Parking wars.

Mr Perkins contacted Midweek when he spotted new Sureway trucks, which are equipped with hydraulic arms which can lift a car vertically out of its Parking space to be impounded.

Mr Perkins, 55, criticised what he called Sureway's 'latest weapon.'

The hydraulic lifting vehicles came into service on March 4.

Temple End-based Mr Perkins added: "This is the Sureway to kill the town.

"I know so many people who don't shop in High Wycombe any more because of the Parking situation"

He added that people would be horrified by the introduction of the new trucks.

Sureway manages the Positive Parking initiative on behalf of Buckinghamshire County Council.

A spokesman for the county council said: "Only persistent offenders will be targeted for lifting - those with five or more offences and who have made no effort to settle their fines."

The county revealed that cars may also be lifted if they are parked on double yellow lines and are causing a hazard to other road users.

Vehicles lifted will be taken to a secure pound on the Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe.

The trucks themselves will also be based at Cressex.

Owners will not be able to get their cars back until their fines have been paid in full.

An additional charge is made for each night the vehicle is in storage at the pound.

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