Mark Whitehead 01 February 2023

Council hands back £100,000 of fines after road sign U-turn

Council hands back £100,000 of fines after road sign U-turn   image
Image: BasPhoto / Shutterstock.com.

Lambeth Council has handed back £100,000 to drivers who were fined because of its confusing road signs.

The south London authority issued 1,635 fines for motorists who used a road in Balham between May and November 2022.

Restrictions banning cars from the road during drop-off and pick-up times at a primary school came into force in spring 2022.

But they were removed after the council faced nearly 400 challenges from drivers claiming the signs were hard to read.

The Labour-led council at first rejected the appeals of all but 10 people, but has now done a U-turn and agreed to repay all fines.

Lambeth has permanent traffic restrictions around 20 schools across the borough. The first no-car zones were set up in 2019.

Liberal Democrats have branded the situation ‘shambolic’.

Donna Harris, councillor for the area where the road is said: ‘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?’

A Lambeth Council spokesperson 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.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Transport and Major Work Manager

Slough Borough Council
£54,556 to £60,085 per year Inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance of £1096
Drive the future of transport and infrastructure in Slough Slough, Berkshire
Recuriter: Slough Borough Council

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£13.28 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Performance Lead for Children and Young People’s Services

North Yorkshire Council
£51,356 - £55,539
North Yorkshire Council is offering an exciting opportunity for a Performance Lead to join our team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Nights Support Worker

Wakefield Council
SCP 12 28,598 - SCP 18 31,537
Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Care Assistant

Wakefield Council
Grade 4 - SCP 6 - SCP 7
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner