Cheshire East Council set to reimburse some parking penalty charges
Cheshire East Council has identified an error in the previous issuing of penalty charge notices on some free car parks – and is urging people to come forward and claim a reimbursement.
This issue, which was brought to the council’s attention during a recent consultation to increase parking charges by Cllr Rod Fletcher, has seen 675 penalty charge notices issued incorrectly between October 26, 2015 and March 13, 2019.
The total cost of the 675 notices issued has been calculated at £19,467.
The error has been made on seven out of 116 car parks and represents less than one per cent of the total penalty charge notices issued across Cheshire East.
All 675 issued were due to a parking offence being committed, but due to legal technicalities, the penalty charge notices were not enforceable.
The car parks affected are: Fairview, Fannys Croft and Station Road in Alsager; London Road in Holmes Chapel; and Hawk Street, Chapel Street and Brookhouse Road in Sandbach.
The council has today (July 3), established a reimbursement scheme for those affected. The scheme, which will be overseen by an independent reviewer, will ensure any claimants have their cases reviewed.
Frank Jordan, executive director of place and acting deputy chief executive, said: “The issue, of penalty charge notices having been incorrectly issued on seven car parks between October 2015 and March 2019, was brought to our attention during the parking charges consultation period.
Cllr Frank Jordan
“We would like to apologise to those who have been incorrectly issued a penalty charge notice during this time period and urge any affected motorists to claim full reimbursement.
“Also, I would like to thank Cllr Fletcher for drawing this to our attention.”
If you think you are one of the 675 affected, please visit the council website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/parkingclaim for more information, or call 0300 123 5500.
Notification as to whether you qualify for a reimbursement will be received within 28 days.
