Motorists fined for crossing Lendal Bridge have just days to claim refund

The Press revealed earlier this year that thousands of pounds in penalty charge notices (PCNs) were still lying unclaimed in City of York Council's accounts.

Only 29,000 Lendal Bridge fines had been refunded at that stage, out of a total of 48,000 drivers who were entitled to get their money back.

Just over 6,500 out of 12,000 motorists who were entitled to refunds for using Coppergate while a ban was enforced through automatic number plate recognition had applied to get their money back.

A council spokeswoman said last week it had written previously to people who had not claimed their PCN repayment, to notify them directly of the process, and a press release giving notice of the ending of the process was issued on February 12.

She said the decision to extend the repayment deadline to March 31 was agreed by the council's previous cabinet at a meeting on July 30 last year.

"The council will publish the total cost of the Lendal Bridge and Coppergate settlement process after March," she said.

"To apply for a refund, or to find out more information about the repayment process, search ‘Lendal Bridge’ or ‘Coppergate’ at: www.york.gov.uk.

"The council will assist anyone in person in the council's West Offices or over the phone, on 01904 551550, to help them through the processing if they have no access to the internet and apply before March 31."

By February, the cost of repayments had cost the council £922,382 for Lendal Bridge fines and £211,350 for Coppergate fines.

The controversial traffic restrictions were introduced in August 2013, which led to some 56,000 drivers being issued with penalty charge notices amounting to £1.3 million.

Many motorists complained bitterly that they had been unaware they could not use the bridge, and the trial was eventually abandoned after an independent review by the national Traffic Penalty Tribunal found the council may have acted unlawfully.