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

Senior/Principal Regeneration Officer

Fareham Borough Council
£45,465 - £55,379
Our town centre regeneration is moving from planning to delivery, and we're looking for someone who wants to help make regeneration happen. Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Lawyer

East Cambridgeshire District Council
£38,510 to £44,253 per annum plus benefits
Are you building your legal career and ready to take on broader responsibility? Ely, Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Senior Lawyer

East Cambridgeshire District Council
£47,665 to £51,928 per annum plus benefits
We are looking for a confident and experienced Senior Lawyer Ely, Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Senior Practitioner - Children & Young People with Disabilities

Essex County Council
£48205.0000 - £57988.0000 per annum
Senior Practitioner - Children & Young People with Disabilities - Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£48,205 to £57,988 Per Annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Neighbourhood Highways Engineer (Northern)

Devon County Council
£46,579 - £50,908 per annum
We are recruiting an experienced and collaborative Neighbourhood Highway Engineer to help keep Devon’s highway network safe, resilient and moving. Taw View, Barnstaple, EX32 2SU or Tiverton Business Park, EX16 6T
Recuriter: Devon County Council
Linkedin Banner