A London borough is to refund charges it levied at service-users who paid by credit card, after an appeals body ruled that such charges could make parking tickets unenforceable.
Camden council introduced the charges in January to try and recoup the £250,000 annual cost it incurs processing credit card payments.
But the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service ruled that it was unlawful to make such a charge on a ticket, which the motorist had no choice but to pay (Surveyor, 18 June 2009). Camden has now stopped charging for credit cards on all services and offered refunds to those who have paid a fee.
But parking campaigners say this will not prevent hundreds of motorists from claiming the full amount of their parking tickets back, costing the council millions of pounds. Neil Herron, from pressure group Parking Appeals, said: ‘The entire fines have been ruled unlawful, not just the surcharges for paying by credit card.
‘If [the council] does not abide by the appeal tribunal ruling, we will not hesitate to take legal action.’ Several other councils, including Kingston and Merton London boroughs also introduced the charges and could be affected.
The Department for Transport (DfT) refused to defend those authorities which imposed the additional levy, saying parking charges should be used to manage demand and not raise revenue.
‘Our guidance to councils is clear that paying by debit and credit cards is more convenient for many motorists and is cheaper and more secure for local authorities, so surcharges for such payments cannot be justified,’ a DfT spokesman said.
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