Enforcement and restriction cameras that lack updated certification have led to thousands of motorists paying invalid fixed penalty notices (FPNs) across London, according to the AA. At least six councils have issued such FPNs, rulings by London Tribunals’ traffic adjudicators have revealed. Those who have appealed against the penalty and did not have their FPNs cancelled after the first complaint are of particular concern.
Several London boroughs, including Greenwich, Lambeth and Redbridge, and the City of London, were unable to produce documentation to validate the FPNs they had issued in the three weeks to 4 January. The adjudicators cancelled the penalties, but the AA says that this is just “the tip of the iceberg”. Analysis by the AA, based on London Councils statistics, indicated that 56% of appeals made against bus lane penalties last year were either upheld or not contested while 35% of appeals made for moving traffic offences, such as stopping in a yellow box when not allowed, had the same result.
In total, nearly 7,300 appeals were successful. Hundreds of drivers who received these FPNs paid within 14 days to secure the 50% discount for early settlement, but the AA has said that it is “outrageous” to issue FPNs for expired restrictions. Luke Bosdet from the AA’s motoring policy unit called for accountability for councils’ road traffic enforcement.
A revamp of Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) which govern local road restrictions was proposed by the Department for Transport in response to the issue. Local authorities are responsible for local traffic measures and for ensuring that the penalties they impose are fair and proportionate, according to a DfT spokesperson. London Councils said it encourages those issued with invalid FPNs to report the matter to their local authority and to appeal against any rejections with London Tribunals
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