Paking fines could be appealed against Thousands of paid parking tickets could now be subject to appeal after spy camera's were in operation without warning signs in Birkenhead. The spy cars - which are Smart cars fitted with an 11ft 'periscope' camera - were in operation throughout Wirral without the aid of warning signs to the public.
A local couple took their case to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal after they saw their appeal for both tickets - issued in the same week in April - rejected.
A 'virtual' hearing then took place at a tribunal via a telephone conference call between the couple, a council representative and an independent adjudicator.
The tribunal ruled that the two tickets issued were wrong because of the lack of signs, warning motorists they might be photographed, and the adjudicator said he would be writing to the council after expressing his own concern over the issue.
At the same time as the couple's fines, other cars were photographed by the spy car. The council however, is refusing to review these cases because the payment of fines is seen as an admission of liability.
Cllr Sue Taylor said; "It seems strange that the council say they won't re-open past cases because the fines were paid and therefore admissions of liability were made.
"The whole point of the adjudication surely is that at least in this case the fine was issued wrongly. How many more are there? It means there's a possibility that many other fines issued by the spy car have also been issued incorrrectly but that the motorists have paid up in good faith."
Cllr Taylor also questioned where the money would come from, should the council decide to post warning signs;
"If the council are now reviewing the signage, then how are they going to do it and pay for it? Will they be wasting more of the council taxpayer's money to erect signs in every street in which spy cars may operate?"
A council spokeswoman said; "Anyone who has recieved a parking ticket and thinks that they have a valid reason to appeal is able to do so through the appeals process detailed.
"Paying a fine is admission of of liability of a parking contravention and we have plans to re-open any past cases that have been paid."
CLICK LIVERPOOL