Council to repay £1m over spy cars parking blunder

The problem was spotted by a motorist who showed “good old British doggedness” in his campaign.

Richmond Council dished out around 18,500 penalty charge notices (PCNs) between April 2009 and April 2011 after it used incorrectly certified CCTV patrol cars.

Lord True, the council leader, said: “The council took money from people when we were not entitled to. That was wrong, and the wrong should be put right.”

The independent Parking Tribunal Service (Patas) ruled the council was wrong to issue the tickets.

Speaking to the full council yesterday, Lord True added: “We will write to the registered owner of every vehicle against which a ticket was issued by our camera cars inviting them to apply for a refund.”