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Refunds after parking fine error Refunds after parking fine error
(about 3 hours later)
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.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.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".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.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.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.
Drivers have been urged to park sensibly and warned they could still be booked for obstruction in the meantime. In the meantime, drivers have been urged to park sensibly and warned they could still be booked for obstruction.
PARKING ERROR AREAS Alfred PlaceBath StreetBaker StreetCorporation StreetCrynfryn RowEastgate StreetGreat Darkgate StreetMarket StreetOwain Glyndwr SquarePortland RoadPortland StreetQueen's RoadTerrace RoadUpper Portland StreetPARKING ERROR AREAS Alfred PlaceBath StreetBaker StreetCorporation StreetCrynfryn RowEastgate StreetGreat Darkgate StreetMarket StreetOwain Glyndwr SquarePortland RoadPortland StreetQueen's RoadTerrace RoadUpper Portland Street
But it is thought the blunder could cost the cash-strapped council thousands of pounds. It is thought the blunder could cost cash-strapped Ceredigion council thousands of pounds.
Ceredigion council said the error came to light when it tried to update a town centre "experimental traffic order". 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.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.""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.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."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.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 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.They are asked to contact the council's highways department, quoting the reference TM2008.