Major blunder sees thousands wrongly fined for six years as Surrey council forced to refund motorists

A local authority in East Surrey has been forced to apologise after parking penalties were wrongly handed out across multiple car parks dating back to January 2020, following a serious mistake.

Elmbridge Borough Council issued an apology after revealing that 9,318 Penalty Charge Notices may have been incorrectly issued over the past six years.

Motorists who received fines at council-operated car parks in Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge could now be entitled to claim their money back.

The council has launched a compensation programme expected to launch next month, with the total bill estimated at roughly £308,000.

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Officials stated they are committed to rectifying the situation and ensuring those who paid invalid fines can recover their costs through a straightforward claims process.

The compensation related to tickets issued between 8am and 9am, or between 6pm and 7pm, at 11 car parks since January 6 2020.

These locations include Berguette, Civic Centre, Heather Place and Highwayman's Cottage in Esher, Cedar Road and Hollyhedge Road in Cobham, Drewitt's Court and Manor Road in Walton-on-Thames, plus Churchfield Road, Monument Hill and Baker Street in Weybridge.

Additionally, penalties issued on Sundays at 17 car parks since April 24, 2022, could also be eligible for refunds, with Mayfield Road in Hersham and several Walton-on-Thames sites, including Ashley Park, Station Avenue and Walton Park, among those affected.

Ashley Park has separate criteria, covering fines between 8am and 10am or 6pm and 7pm since January 2020. The refund scheme requires formal approval from councillors at the Elmbridge Cabinet meeting scheduled for May 19 before it can become operational.

Once authorised, the programme will open in June, though an exact start date has not yet been confirmed pending completion of governance procedures.

The authority explained that affected motorists will be able to submit claims through the council's website or by telephone.

Applicants must provide their name, contact information, vehicle registration number, proof that they paid the fine, and bank details for the refund payment.

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The council has also pledged to process successful applications within two weeks of receiving a complete claim.

Drivers who faced bailiff or enforcement action over eligible penalties will be contacted directly by the authority, as their details are held on file.

Dawn Crewe, strategic director at Elmbridge Borough Council, said: "I am very sorry that a procedural error has led to parking fines being issued incorrectly in some of our car parks.

"I understand this will be frustrating for those affected, and I want to reassure residents and visitors that we are doing everything we can to put this right.

"The refund process will be kept as straightforward as possible, with refunds issued within two weeks of successful application, and we will make sure the scheme is widely publicised so that everyone who may be affected is aware."

The compensation programme comes from the council's existing financial reserves rather than through cuts to services or the introduction of additional charges.

Alongside the compensation scheme, the authority is launching changes to its parking arrangements, including expanding the number of car parks offering 30 minutes of free parking on a trial basis and reducing charging hours at town centre locations from July.

The council acknowledged it cannot reach out to affected individuals directly, as payment of parking fines does not require customers to submit contact details. Instead, officials pledged to publicise the scheme widely to ensure all eligible motorists are informed.

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