Parking fine refund fight continues

The Journal
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
By Chloe Griffiths
chloe.griffiths@ncjmedia.co.uk

Council pledge to pay back motorists' tickets

A North-East council embroiled in a long running battle over illegal parking fines has admitted they will be reimbursing more motorists.

But political campaigners insist the move is still far too little, far too late.

Sunderland city council has admitted collecting £21,000 from illegally issued parking tickets nearly two years ago, after failing to put proper rules in place.

The problem began when the council took over parking enforcement from the police. It is now conducting an internal investigation into its system and is adamant it is rectifying the mistakes.

It has also admitted it failed to take the advice of an external consultant who highlighted problem areas back in 2001.

Activist Neil Herron, who uncovered the loopholes, argues a full independent investigation is necessary and the council's system should be revoked, as errors are still occurring.

Mr Herron said: " There have been far too many tickets issued unlawfully and far too much public money is involved for them to carry on. Even now there are missing signs and insufficient signs which will lead to more problems."

The council, however; insists it is now resolving the problems through the ongoing investigation.

In a statement last night the council said: " Sunderland city council is undertaking a review of all aspects of its decriminalised parking system.
" As the review progresses, immediate action is being taken where necessary to rectify, clarify or update legal or operational aspect part of the system."

The first element of this review has focused on tickets issued for parking in taxi ranks by unauthorised attendants.

The council say it has now reimbursed the majority of those affected, but Mr Herron argues that at a council meeting last week only 88 of the 700 drivers fined had been given their money back.

The council has also admitted it will now refund 182 blue badge holders who parkd in loading bays.

The statement said: "Whilst there has been uncertainty around the complexity of the law in this regard, the council has now obtained clear counsel's advise to the effect that there is an exemption for blue badge-holders who parked in loading bays.

Mr Herron, however, questions the number of motorists they are refunding.

He said: " From February 2003, the council issued between 150 and 200 tickets a month for this offence. Have they now examined all the attendant's photographic evidence to find which ones had blue badges? I think it is more likely they are just responding to those motorists who ring in to complain.

" Millions of pounds have been overcharged in a system where the incentive is profit. This is a desperate attempt to remedy their mistakes, but it is far too little,"