….. fewer than 20% get their money back
click to view (from 19:27)
Last nights episode of the popular BBC Watchdog programme, may have prompted more drivers to apply for a refund of the fines unlawfully imposed when they crossed Lendal bridge in York.
The programme claimed, with the deadline of 31st December 2014 rapidly approaching, that fewer than 10,000, of the 50,0000 drivers affected, had so far applied for refunds.
The Liberal Democrat Group are going to propose at the next Council meeting (on 11th December) that the deadline be extended and that all who paid fines are proactively contacted and advised how to seek a refund.
Some who have applied for a refund have apparently found themselves in a Catch 22 situation with the Council only prepared to refund to the registered keeper. In the case of business, lease or hire cars this has involved the driver in an additional time consuming and expensive administrative loop.
Similarly there remains considerable doubt about how many of the fines issued to foreign tourists have actually been repaid. Given the reputational damage done to the City – and the importance of its tourism industry – we would expect that the Council would already have taken action to reach this group of people.
The underlying cause of the problem, of course, remains the stubborn attitude displayed by some Labour Councillors who, despite the overwhelming evidence that was available by September 2013 that something had gone seriously wrong with the trial, refused to suspend it.
They are relying on the support of the 2 man group of Green Party Councillors to fend off the increasing calls for an inquiry into the mess.