Britannia Radio

Refunds after parking fine error

Thousands of parking tickets are estimated to have been wrongly issued
to motorists in a seaside town over the last two years after a mistake.

Ceredigion Council and Dyfed-Powys Police said people fined for parking
in Aberystwyth town centre since November 2006 could apply for their £30
back.

They are trying to trace those affected by the "systems failure".

The error was found when the council went to renew a traffic order and
found the original had not been updated.

Police said their officers and council wardens would not be issuing £30
parking tickets until a traffic order was in place in the new year.

Drivers have been urged to park sensibly and warned they could still be
booked for obstruction in the meantime.

But it is thought the blunder could cost cash-strapped Ceredigion
council thousands of pounds.

It said the error came to light when it tried to update a town centre
"experimental traffic order".

A council spokesman said: "Both the county council and the Dyfed-Powys
Constabulary are working in close collaboration to attend to the issues
arising from the systems failure that occasioned the experimental
traffic order, covering the Aberystwyth town centre traffic restraint
area, not being updated in November 2006.

"All parties are united in their resolve to assist members of the public
deserving refunds on parking tickets issued during the interim period.
It is expected that a new order will be in place early in January 2009."

Chief Inspector Robyn Mason of Aberystwyth police said many motorists
could be affected.

He added: "There could be thousands of motorists eligible for refunds,
and we are doing our best to trace them."

Ch Insp Mason asked motorists to collate as much information as possible
when applying for a refund.

People issued with a ticket in the town centre since 11 November 2006
could qualify.

They are asked to contact the council's highways department, quoting the
reference TM2008.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/mid/7775326.stm

Published: 2008/12/10 13:39:42 GMT
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