For motorists, being unfairly penalised is quite possibly one of the biggest irritants, and can actually be a really stressful experience. With this in mind, this month, Oaks Services are bringing you a story of interest for motorists across the UK: new online systems are being rolled out across the country this year that will allow parking fines to be appealed easier.
The current method of appealing parking fines
Currently, to appeal a fine for parking, driving in bus lanes or issues to do with congestion charges, appeals have to be made in paper and posted, which made the process lengthy and time-consuming. This has been proven to put unfairly fined motorists off making a claim, with the current rate being at just 0.5% of people appealing their unfair fines. The current statistics see around 50% of the claims made resulting in a fine being quashed, so the potential savings for motorists with the new system are huge.
The new online portal for appealing parking fines
The new online system sees claims being able to be made on smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs, with the appealing party having the ability to upload photographic and video evidence to support their claims. This system will not only be much simpler for fined parties to appeal, but the service will be much quicker, with decisions being made in a few days rather than the several week process that the current system takes. Speaking of the new system, Chief Adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, Caroline Sheppard, said: ‘Getting a parking ticket can be a frustrating experience, but our new portal makes the appeals process quicker, simpler and more transparent, putting paid to the old adage that ‘the wheels of justice grind slowly’.” Sheppard also stated that the system is garnering a lot of praise from other areas of the UK judiciary because it is “fast, efficient, accessible and will bring cost savings to local authorities, as well as simplifying the process for those appealing.”
When will this system be available?
The system begins to be launched later this month, with Brighton and Hove City Council being the pioneers, launching the service on 21 March. Brighton Council’s policy and development manager, Paul Nicholls, stated: ‘We are very excited to be the first local authority to use the portal. It reduces the time taken to process appeals, streamlines our communication with appellants and cuts the cost of administration, which benefits all our residents.’ The remainder of the country should have access to the online portal before the end of 2016.
Oaks Services are a leading supplier of MOTs and car repairs to the South East, operating from our base in Chertsey. Our servicing centre serves the area of Surrey, offering highly trained mechanics, quick turnaround and excellent customer care, all at fantastic prices. Get in contact today for more information, we’re always happy to help.
