Council faces parking pay-out

Motorists can reclaim £105 of the penalty

Bristol City Council is set to pay out nearly £900,000 to motorists after a major parking blunder.

In April last year, the council took over the job of towing away illegally parked vehicles from Avon and Somerset Police.

The cost of the fine remained the same but the council neglected the legal requirement to re-advertise the figure.

Between 1 April 2000 and 16 May 2001, 8,500 cars were towed away.

I am extremely shocked and disappointed this error has been made

Helen Holland, executive council member

It has emerged that the drivers are entitled to £105 of their £145 penalty back, leaving the council with a bill of £892,500.

The other £40 is the actual cost of the parking fine, which is non-returnable.

The council has described the mix-up as a "monumental mistake" at an emergency news conference.

The money will come from contingency funds, it said, and no public services would be affected.

The council took legal advice after successful appeals to the National Parking Adjudication Service.

Some cars were breaking the tax law

An internal review has been launched at the request of Helen Holland, executive member for environment, transport and leisure.

She said: "I am extremely shocked and disappointed this error has been made.

"It has inconvenienced members of the public and rectifying the mistake will place an extra administrative burden on the council.

"I want to know what went wrong. I expect to be receiving a report back as soon as possible."

Motorists who believe they are eligible for a refund should apply to:

Bristol City Council
Parking Services
Towaway Refund
PO Box 499
Bristol BS99 3PQ

They should state the make of car, registration number, the date and location of the parking offence and, if possible, evidence of payment of the towaway fee.

Adverts will shortly be placed nationally and on the council's website to inform any affected motorists from outside Bristol.