Refunds after parking fine error

One of the 14 streets in which fines were incorrectly issued

Thousands of parking tickets are estimated to have been wrongly issued to motorists in a seaside town over the last two years after a mistake.

Ceredigion Council and Dyfed-Powys Police said people fined for parking in Aberystwyth town centre since November 2006 could apply for their £30 back.

They are trying to trace those affected by the "systems failure".

The error was found when the council went to renew a traffic order and found the original had not been updated.

Police said their officers and council wardens would not be issuing £30 parking tickets until a traffic order was in place in the new year.

In the meantime, drivers have been urged to park sensibly and warned they could still be booked for obstruction.

PARKING ERROR AREAS Alfred Place Bath Street Baker Street Corporation Street Crynfryn Row Eastgate Street Great Darkgate Street Market Street Owain Glyndwr Square Portland Road Portland Street Queen's Road Terrace Road Upper Portland Street

It is thought the blunder could cost cash-strapped Ceredigion council thousands of pounds.

Officials said the error came to light when it tried to update a town centre "experimental traffic order".

A council spokesman said: "Both the county council and the Dyfed-Powys Constabulary are working in close collaboration to attend to the issues arising from the systems failure that occasioned the experimental traffic order, covering the Aberystwyth town centre traffic restraint area, not being updated in November 2006.

"All parties are united in their resolve to assist members of the public deserving refunds on parking tickets issued during the interim period. It is expected that a new order will be in place early in January 2009."

Chief Inspector Robyn Mason of Aberystwyth police said many motorists could be affected.

He added: "There could be thousands of motorists eligible for refunds, and we are doing our best to trace them."

Ch Insp Mason asked motorists to collate as much information as possible when applying for a refund.

People issued with a ticket in the town centre since 11 November 2006 could qualify.

They are asked to contact the council's highways department, quoting the reference TM2008.