BBC Reports on refunds for Yorkshire motorists

Another piece by the BBC's Look North on 30th May 2008, this time highlighting how many Yorkshire councils have been fining people illegally ... setting up a potential windfall for motorists bigger than the bank charges fiasco.

Expert explains parking law

Motoring lawyer Oliver Mishcon explains what effects the government advice about illegal parking fines could have.

Illegal parking fines row

The government says councils should consider giving back money collected from illegal parking fines.

This story was initially covered nationally on BBC breakfast and is now slowly gathering momentum across the regions.

How much money has your council had illegally?

How many signs and lines do not comply with the law in your area?

Do you work for a council who is trying to cover this up? If so, let us know.

All communications are treated in the strictest confidence enquiries@parkingappeals.co.uk

It's only a matter of time before the very reluctant Police forces (who see no criminality in 'councils' deceiving the public) across the land are forced to investigate what has become the biggest highway robbery since Dick Turpin rode Black Bess.

Perhaps someone so incensed with the injustice of it all will say enough is enough or, have you paid a ticket you believe was issued in an unlawfully marked rea that the council knew was illegal?

Drop us a line...

Had a Parking Ticket in Leeds? Looks like you will need to read this.

If you knew the restrictions were unlawful and Leeds City Council had deceived the Department for Transport to get the power to fine you ... and keep the money ... would you have paid?

If you appealed a ticket but had an appeal rejected ... you need to read on.

If you went to adjudication and lost an appeal ... you MUST read this.

Leeds City Council was granted Decriminalised Parking Enforcement powers on 1st March 2005.

This was only granted after Leeds reassured the Department for Transport that all its lines, sign sand Traffic Regulation Orders would be correct by the time DPE came into operation on 31st March 2005.

The Minister then made The Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area Special Parking Area)(Metroploitan District of Leeds) Order 2005 and they were off to a 'fine 'start.

We visited Leeds some 5 weeks ago after serious concerns were raised over the validity of the restrictions ... see our report here
The BBC LOOK NORTH piece can be seen here Campaign targets parking bays

Well, one ticket was cancelled the other day but the one in the unlawfully marked bay they are intendng to pursue.

However, a damning dossier was received over the weekend ... following a Freedom of Information request to the Government Office of Yorkshire. Such was the content of the dossier that today I handed a copy over to the BBC in Leeds (who were mentioned in the report) and a formal complaint of fraud and misfeasance in public office was made against Leeds City Council to the West Yorkshire Police. They too were handed the dossier which contained some very serious allegations about Leeds ... from the Government Office and the Department for Transport.

Indeed, at one point Phil Jones (Director Economic Affairs GOYH) to Phil Heyes (e-mail 20.07.05) states:

“The recourse for the public is to complain to the Ombudsman about malpractice, or to the Police for what would in effect be attempted fraud or extortion.

We believe that there is a possibility or even probability that someone will make a formal complaint to the Police, the Police will have to investigate, and could well be forced into taking a LA to court.”

That was in 2005.

In 2007 ... in an e-mail communication between Phil Heyes (GOYH) and John Munns (DfT) 17.07.07 in response to a question from xxxxxxx xxxxxxx in DfT TMD asking whether the Leeds Traffic signing and road marking problems had been resolved PH states:

“ In simple terms – No – if anything it’s worse”

He goes on in great deal to explain how Leeds City Council continue to enforce unlawful restrictions, in the full knowledge that they are non-compliant.

Meanwhile, anyone who has received a ticket in Leeds between 1st March 2005 and present simply e-mail us at admin@parkingappeals.co.uk title it 'LEEDS REFUNDS' and leave your contact details. You don't even need to recall precisely when you had your ticket. We will keep you fully informed of developments.

Parking Appeals throws down the gauntlet to Leeds City Council

It was a busy few days ... Thursday NPAS hearing on a Bury PCN ( more to come later as the hearing was adjourned) and then filming with BBC in Leeds on Friday.

The filming started at a location where the upright plate (left) indicated the distance to the Pay and Display meter in metres. As has been pointed out before, I am considered a Luddite when it comes to metric and therefore would not be able to determine whether the meter was but seconds away or whether the trek would require a packed lunch and sturdy boots. If the sign had been in imperial as the law requires then it would not have been a problem.

The fact that the sign is in metric and therefore not prescribed in law renders the restriction unenforceable.

The cameraman and reporter struck lucky with the Parking Attendant turning up and issuing within minutes of their arrival.

Later we managed to get a PCN in Cookridge Street in a non-compliant 'hybrid' and therefore unlawful bay.

The BBC LOOK NORTH piece can be seen here Campaign targets parking bays

So, two PCNs to appeal ... let's see how far Leeds City Council will go with this. Will they cancel and confirm that the restrictions are not correctly signed or will they challenge my appeals?

How many skeletons will be in their cupboards?

Tragedy of the day was the fact that the back axle gave up as I was leaving and I got as far as the National Auto Centre where the shake of the head and sharp intake of breath (mechanic speak for 'you ain't goin' nowhere') meant that signs were not good ... and I ended up being 'recovered' back home. Thanks goes to the AA and their driver for their prompt and faultless action in getting me home in time for a Friday night out with the boys.