Victory in Milan brings relief for Wenger

Arsenal claimed a much-needed victory over AC Milan in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at the San Siro. The Gunners had lost their previous four fixtures, leaving major questions over the position of longserving manager Arsène Wenger. But goals from Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan – his first for the club – and Aaron Ramsey gave the side a formidable advantage ahead of the home leg at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday. Sport, pages 6-7

MOTORISTS who drive in bus lanes are wrongly being fined, as figures show the success rate for getting a council fine overturned is almost 50 per cent.

Data shows that of 4.3 million appeals against parking and bus lane fines over the past five years, 1.8 million were successful. Eighty four of the 245 local authorities who responded to a freedom of information request from the BBC accepted more than half of challenges. Luke Bosdet, of the AA, said the figures were “ridiculous”.

“The councils are fishing for large amounts of money. Those motorists should be compensated the full amount of money that councils demanded for that offence, which by the councils’ own admission shouldn’t have been given,” he told The Daily Telegraph. He said some motorists were fined because they pulled into a bus lane to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle.

Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s transport spokesman, said: “Councils are on the side of both motorists and residents.

“Most of the time councils get it right on parking but mistakes can sometimes be made. As these figures confirm, people who want to challenge a parking fine have access to a clear and effective appeals process.”