Motorists 'Could Win Parking Fine Appeal'

Motorists could win an appeal against unfair parking fines if they are prepared to pursue the case, consumer group Which? has found.

A survey carried out by Which? found that the number of parking fines overturned at the appeal stage - many of which were often uncontested by the council - meant that it was worth persevering with the case, even if the initial challenge was rejected.

Which? said that around 8 million parking tickets were issued in 2005 across England and Wales, excluding London.

Of that number, 9,449 fines were challenged and more than half of them won by motorists, while 2,749 cases were uncontested.

The survey found, in 2005, more than 60% of appeals in the London boroughs of Hackney, Hillingdon and Southwark were won by the driver, uncontested by the council.

However, in contrast, Stockport Council in Cheshire, had no appeals to the 23,000 tickets issued.

The survey also found that Lambeth Council in London had sent out 8,000 wrong demands for money, with the threat of baliffs this year. The council blamed an IT problem, which it said had now been corrected, and that the 212 people who had paid would be refunded.

Which? Editor Neil Fowler said: "Some councils seem all too ready to give parking fines, but far more reluctant when it comes to cancelling the ones that aren't justified - perhaps with one eye on their income.

"Many motorists will simply give in and pay up, but if you think a parking ticket is unjustified it's well worth challenging it and, if the challenge is rejected, appealing the decision."

(KMcA)