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Appeal parking fine, drivers told Parking ticket appeals 'winnable'
(about 1 hour later)
People who feel their parking fine is unfair have been advised by a new survey to pursue the case as most councils did not contest the appeals. Motorists are likely to win an appeal against unfair parking fines if they pursue the case, a survey has found.
The consumer rights magazine Which? found many councils reject too many appeals against penalties but in the long term the motorists stand to win. Consumer rights magazine Which? found most councils did not contest repeated challenges against penalties.
In 2005 in excess of 60% of appeals in three London boroughs were won uncontested, Which? said. In 2005 more than 60% of parking fine appeals in three London boroughs were won uncontested, Which? said.
Another consumer rights group said in most cases councils offer no evidence. Consumer rights group Appeal Now, said councils offered no evidence in 50% of cases, showing they would rather cancel tickets than continue disputes.
The survey highlights the case of Liz Edwards, who works for Which? The Which? survey highlights the case of Liz Edwards, who works for the publication.
Her appeal was rejected twice by Lambeth Council in south London and she received a demand for £150.Her appeal was rejected twice by Lambeth Council in south London and she received a demand for £150.
Many motorists will simply give in and pay up, but if you think a parking ticket is unjustified it's well worth challenging it Neil Fowler, Which? magazine editor Many motorists will simply give in and pay up, but if you think a parking ticket is unjustified it's well worth challenging it Neil Fowler, Which? editor
She was even threatened with bailiffs but won her appeal. She was threatened with bailiffs but eventually won her appeal.
The campaign group Appeal Now said in 50% of appeals, councils do not offer evidence. This indicates they may prefer to cancel tickets rather than contest repeated appeals, the group said. The Which? survey found London boroughs of Hackney, Hillingdon and Southwark chose not to contest more than 60% of appeals.
The Which? survey also found London boroughs of Hackney, Hillingdon and Southwark chose not to contest more than 60% of appeals. But Stockport Council in Cheshire did not receive a single appeal despite posting 23,000 tickets on vehicles.
On the other hand, Stockport Council in Cheshire did not receive a single appeal despite posting 23,000 tickets on vehicles. Which? editor Neil Fowler said councils readily slapped fines on motorists with "one eye on their income".
Which? magazine editor Neil Fowler said councils readily slap fines with "one eye on their income". "Many motorists will simply give in and pay up, but if you think a parking ticket is unjustified it's well worth challenging it and, if the challenge is rejected, appealing against the decision."
"Many motorists will simply give in and pay up, but if you think a parking ticket is unjustified it's well worth challenging it and, if the challenge is rejected, appealing the decision." David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association's transport and regeneration board, said only a "tiny fraction" of tickets were challenged.
Councillor David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association's transport and regeneration board, said only a "tiny fraction" of tickets were challenged but said genuine complaints should be pursued. But he said genuine complaints should be pursued.