Thousands of drivers 'incorrectly' fined by council over 11-year period

Thousands of drivers 'incorrectly' fined by council over 11-year period
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A council in England has been forced to apologise after it issued thousands of incorrect parking fines to motorists over an 11-year period. An investigation by Reading Borough Council found it had incorrectly issued 6,136 penalty charge notices (PCNs) between 2013 and 2024.

The charges were in relation to errors with traffic regulation orders (TROs) in the Berkshire county. Drivers who paid fines relating to the areas affected can claim refunds, along with additional interest, from next week, the council said.

Council CEO Jackie Yates apologised for the mistake. She said the authority "sincerely apologised" to people affected by the mistakes. “Parking enforcement action was suspended as soon as the council became aware of the specific TRO issues and further action is being taken to ensure that the circumstances which led to this situation don't happen again," she continued.

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Five areas had been affected by the errors across different time periods, the authority confirmed. The mistake now means that the council may have to reimburse approximately £357,000 to those affected. Providing claim forms are complete, the council said it expects refunds with interest to be paid within 28 days.

Yates added: “Parking enforcement action was suspended as soon as the Council became aware of the specific TRO issues and further action is being taken to ensure that the circumstances which led to this situation don't happen again.

“On behalf of the council, I sincerely apologise to motorists for the distress and inconvenience caused.” These are parts of Kings Road and Wokingham Road, between January 2018 and March 2024, Waldeck Street and Swainstone Road permit parking schemes, between March 2016 and June 2024, Red Route West, between Tilehurst and West Reading, for a seven-day period in May 2018, Southcote verge and footway parking ban area, between August 2015 and June 2024 and Tilehurst and Kentwood verge and footway parking ban area, between November 2013 and June 2024..