Cloned plate mystery as driver sent CAZ fines
A MOTORIST who has never driven into Birmingham has been bombarded with Clean Air Zone (CAZ) fines amid claims his registration plate was cloned.
Richard Gregory-Gibbons, from Staffordshire, claims a driver with the same car and number plate is travelling through the city’s CAZ zone – leaving him inundated with penalty charge notices.
The 56-year-old father-of-three, who runs a cake business with his wife, has to appeal each fine individually via Birmingham City Council’s website.
And despite having a West Midlands Police log number to report his plate had been cloned, the letters are still coming.
He has had a total of 27, including six that came in a single day – three for bus lane fines and a warning letter for the CAZ.
He said: “I’ve never even driven into Birmingham as I’m from Staffordshire and work from home and have done for the last 20 years.”
He continued: “I’ve contacted the council who said it’s more than likely a camera error – that was for the first two that came through.
“I had another warning which was quite serious for driving through a bus lane, which again, I have never done.
“The council weren’t really much help. In July, I went online and contacted West Midlands Police through the live chat. They were really good. He got the pictures up and reg number, he checked and he said there are slight differences between our cars.”
While both cars are black VW Passats, the vehicles have different wheels and grills, he said.
Mr Gregory-Gibbons added: “Hopefully, they are going to get whoever is doing this. A couple of people have suggested I get a private registration plate, but I shouldn’t have to do that.
“I have only managed to get through to the council three times, the others have been busy or not answered. It is frustrating, it seems they don’t want to do anything about it.”
Birmingham City Council had not responded by the time the Post went to print.