A PENSIONER who won an appeal against a traffic fine may have to pay up after the council admitted it submitted the wrong evidence.
Bill Thompson, 70, of Westbury Road, made the headlines last week after winning an appeal against a fine for driving into a section of Walthamstow High Street after it closed to vehicles at 7pm.
The Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PTAS) ruled that a sign at the junction was unclear and did not meet Government guidelines and so upheld Mr Thompson's appeal.
But as part of its evidence to PTAS, the council submitted a picture of an earlier sign at the junction – meaning the adjudicator made a decision based on the wrong sign.
The council's has now asked for a review of the decision, saying: “Unfortunately an administrative error was made by including a copy of a sign relating to a previous restriction at the location.”
Regulations allow authorities to request a review if an administrative error has been made.
If PTAS reviews the decision and adjudges the sign to be legal, Mr Thompson will have to pay £120, which he says is equivalent to a week of his state pension.
He said: “I am disappointed, I thought the adjudicator's decision would be the end of it.
“I am a bit surprised the council is going to these lengths to hassle an old age pensioner.
“Maybe they are worried about other people appealing.”
Mr Thompson was snapped driving in the restricted zone on September 26, less than a fortnight after a new sign, detailing restrictions after 7pm, was installed.
The new restrictions extended the restriction from 4pm to 7pm.
The request for a review will disappoint other motorists appealing against fines for driving in the High Street, although PATAS decisions do not set a precedent in the same way other legal rulings do.
The council has so far failed to comment on the mistake.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel