Council forced to refund 1,000 drivers' fines due to 'unfair' sign outside school

A council has been forced to refund more than 1,000 drivers after it admitted a confusing road sign led to over £100,000 in fines being given out.

Cars are banned from driving outside Henry Cavendish primary school in Balham, south-west London, during school collection times – from 8.15am until 9.15am and between 2.45pm to 3.45pm every weekday.

New signage was meant to tell drivers not to use a short section of the road during school drop off and pick ups, but many said it was not obvious the area was closed during these times.

Residents also complained the sign was not in a clear position so that drivers could see it before turning into the road.

It was also too high for drivers sitting in a vehicle to see in time, campaigners claimed.

Nearly 400 of the penalty charge notices (PCN) were challenged by motorists, of which the authority initially refused the appeals of all but 10 applications.

But after lobbying by residents and opposition councillors, Lambeth Council caved and admitted that the signs were unclear and will now refund all fines issued from May until 9 December, when the signs were changed.

Some 1,635 fines were issued to motorists from May to November last year, which were for £130 – reduced to £65 if paid within two weeks.

It means the council would have to refund £106,275 if all 1,635 fines were paid at the £65 level, rising to as much as £212,550 if all the PCNs were paid at the higher rate.

Lib Dem councillor Donna Harris said the signage was poorly located and difficult to read safely while driving.

She also slammed Lambeth Council for taking until December to admit its mistake and replace the sign.

Harris, leader of the Lambeth Lib Dem group, said: “This is a right shambles from Lambeth Council, which has angered many residents in my ward who’ve been unfairly fined.

“You have to ask: why didn’t the council put the right signage up in the first place and why did it take them months to admit their mistake?

“I’m pleased the council has agreed to repay the fines but those who were hit with fines will be disappointed there was no contrition or apology.”

During a council meeting last month, Labour’s cabinet member for sustainable Lambeth and clean air, Rezina Chowdhury, ignored Harris' request to apologise to residents for the council's error.

Lambeth Council insisted its signs were still "compliant" with their legal responsibilities but accepted they should have been in a better position.

A spokesman said: "We acknowledged that the signage in place at this location, although compliant, needed better positioning.

"We have therefore taken the decision to refund any penalty charge notices issued and will cancel any that are outstanding."

Due to the high number of PCNs issued, Harris called on any motorists who had not received a refund to get in touch through her official office.