A council has been forced to refund more than 1,000 drivers over £100,000 in fines due to a confusing road sign blunder. Lambeth Council agreed to refund at least £106,000 in fines after it admitted that unclear road signs were erected near a school street for six months.
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. Some 1,635 fines were issued to motorists from May to November last year, with nearly 400 challenging these PCNs, which were for £130 reduced to £65 if paid within two weeks.
It means Lambeth Council would have to cough up £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. 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 these fines 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 agreed to refund all fines issued from May until December 9, when the signs were changed. 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 signage. Cllr 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 Wednesday (Jan 25), Labour’s cabinet member for sustainable Lambeth and clean air, Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, ignored Cllr Harris' request to apologise to residents for the council's error. Cllr Chowdhury said in answer to Cllr Harris: "Yes, as residents raised this issue with us, we have improved the signage.
"I can confirm that we will cancel all PCNs issued up until December 9 [when the signage was updated] and refund any PCNs that have been paid."
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, Cllr Harris called on any motorists who had not received a refund to get in touch through her official office.
