How hundreds of millions of pounds in 'illegal' parking fines may be refunded

Drivers could get refunds over ‘illegal’ parking fines on private land.

18:06 20 February 2015

Hundreds of millions of pounds could be refunded to drivers following claims that private car parks are not allowed by law to issue penalties.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Millions of drivers could be in line for a refund. We estimate that in 2013 alone, drivers might have been overcharged by some £100m."

Based on official figures, charges for infringements of private car park conditions have grown to an estimated £100m per year.

Barrister John de Waal QC said that the fines are illegal. "They should be seen by the courts as penalties, which means they are unenforceable.”

Pauline Welsh was one of the drivers charged for parking on private car parks. The 56-year-old was fined £60 when she parked on what she thought was council-owned land.

The retired teacher said: "It's shocking, and it needs sorting. It's just not fair." Her husband appealed against the ticket but to no avail.

Professor Glaister called on the Government to set out what a reasonable charge should be.

"They allowed a system of ticketing to emerge which is barely regulated. In effect, drivers have been short-changed.”