RESIDENTS are up in arms over a private parking firm accused of behaving like a "ruthless, money maker" for "draconian regulations".

Car Park Management (CPM) was employed by housing associations Vivid and Barratt Homes to enforce parking restrictions at the new Chapel Gate housing estate in the centre of Basingstoke.

However after being inundated with complaints, Vivid has pledged to end its contract with the company.

Councillor Paul Harvey told the Gazette: “It is completely out of order they have been scrupulously penalising residents with no mercy or leniency.

“They have been waiting for people to make a mistake, literally been going around with torches waiting to catch people.”

Amy Potter, 24, who moved into the two-bedroom house with her boyfriend in April 2019 she has received two parking tickets in the past six months.

The full-time nurse said: “I think it’s disgusting that they are slapping parking tickets on residents cars for silly reasons. They are impacting who I can have visit me as I currently cannot park more than one car in my driveway.”

Despite appealing the fines, the couple received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus threatening court action unless they pay up.

However, councillors reassured residents that they will be backing them “one hundred per cent” calling the parking company “ruthless, money makers.”

Vivid director Mike Shepherd said: “We’re very sorry our customers have experienced issues with the parking management at Chapel Gate.

“The planning permission requires the use of a parking management system to reduce the impact to residents and the community of unauthorised parking.

“Since being made aware of our customers’ experience we’ve met with CPM, who provide this service, to arrange a refund for customers who have been charged indirectly, and we will terminate CPM’s contract at Chapel Gate.”

CPM has been contacted for comment.

To appeal your wrongly issued parking ticket, submit your documents online via their website https://www.cpmappeals.co.uk/