image upload in asp.net vb

Public Function UploadThisFile(ByVal upload As FileUpload)

            Dim theFilename As String
            Dim str_Custfilename As String
            If upload.HasFile Then
                str_Custfilename = upload.FileName
                theFilename = Path.Combine(HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/uploadedimages/"), str_Custfilename)
                upload.SaveAs(theFilename)
                ' the file name is theFileName needs to be stored in the database.
                System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(8000)
            Else
                str_Custfilename = "default_news.jpg"
            End If

            Return "/uploadedimages/" + str_Custfilename

        End Function

Access to the path 'D:\CustomerData\webspaces\webspace_00110365\wwwroot\uploadedimages\blackflag.jpg' is denied.

Line 105:                str_Custfilename = upload.FileName
Line 106:                theFilename = Path.Combine(HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/uploadedimages/"), str_Custfilename)
Line 107:                upload.SaveAs(theFilename)
Line 108:                ' the file name is theFileName needs to be stored in the database.
Line 109:                System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(8000)