A SPECIAL council meeting is to be held next Tuesday to confirm Lendal Bridge fine refunds.

The city council's cabinet will meet next week to discuss the decision to offer refunds and to withdraw its legal appeal on Lendal Bridge, and the arrangements for drivers to apply for their refunds will be made public shortly afterwards.

A council spokesman has urged people to wait until the official process has opened before trying to claim back their refund.

The spokesman said: "In order to protect the council against the risk from fraudulent claims a simple application process is currently in development and it is anticipated that this will be launched in the coming weeks.

"Whilst the council appreciates that those affected by this process will wish to make their application at the earliest possible date, payments will only be made when requests are made through the official application process."

In a report to the cabinet, the council's assistant director for transport, highways and waste Neil Ferris, has recommended councillors take the decision to end uncertainty over the fines for the council and for individuals, to stop council resources being diverted from other transport schemes, and to focus on future plans like the congestion commission.

A Labour group spokesperson added: “Following the announcement of the council’s intention to take a decision to voluntarily repay fines as a gesture of goodwill, we were keen to ensure this decision was made following the appropriate democratic process as soon as possible to give clarity to the public”.