Over 9,000 drivers in England have been wrongly fined over a six-year period, prompting a council to issue refunds. Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) has apologized after 9,318 people were affected by an error involving 17 of its car parks in Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, and Weybridge.
Council Admits Mistake
Dawn Crewe, strategic director at EBC, stated that the nature of the error meant the 'legal activity of issuing the car parking fine was incorrect.' She added, 'As soon as we identified the error we learned from the mistake and put new procedures in place to ensure it cannot happen again.' A clear refund process is due to roll out in June, with claims accepted until the following March before the council is absorbed into the new East Surrey local authority.
Error Discovered During Policy Change
The error became apparent during the rollout of a new policy to introduce 30-minute free parking in the area, EBC said. Crewe added, 'The refund process will be kept as straightforward as possible, with refunds issued within two weeks of successful application.'
Councillor John Cope, leader of Elmbridge Conservative opposition group, described the error as a 'bitter pill for local businesses and residents to swallow.'
Eligible Fines for Refund
Parking fines issued between 8am and 9am, and between 6pm and 7pm, in the following car parks since 6 January 2020 may be eligible for a refund:
- Berguette, Esher
- Civic Centre, Esher
- Heather Place, Esher
- Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher
- Cedar Road, Cobham
- Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
- Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames
- Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames
- Churchfield Road, Weybridge
- Monument Hill, Weybridge
- Baker Street, Weybridge
Parking fines issued on any Sunday in the following car parks since 24 April 2022 may be eligible for a refund:
- Berguette, Esher
- Civic Centre, Esher
- Heather Place, Esher
- Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher
- Cedar Road, Cobham
- Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
- Mayfield Road, Hersham
- Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames
- Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames
- Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames
- Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames
- Walton Park, Walton-on-Thames
- Churchfield Road, Weybridge
- Monument Hill, Weybridge
- Baker Street, Weybridge
- Heath North, Weybridge
- Heath South, Weybridge
For Ashley Park car park in Walton-on-Thames, parking fines issued between 8am and 10am or between 6pm and 7pm since 6 January 2020 may be eligible for a refund.
