‘Council cowboys’ slap driver with CAZ fine despite payment

A DRIVER said she would rather donate to the Ukrainian war appeal than pay “council cowboys” after receiving two Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) fines amounting £378 – despite paying the daily £8 charge. Kasia Lambert was visiting Birmingham on August 14 and 15 last year, knowing the CAZ was in operation and made a payment of £16. Thinking nothing of it, the 42-yearold then returned to the French town Hyères where she now resides.

It was only days later, after receiving penalty notices from council, that Ms Lambert saw the £16 had been returned to her account for no apparent reason. She immediately launched an appeal.

She said: “I included a screenshot of the ‘refund’ and explained there had been an error. I even offered to pay the £16 again, but I was told they didn’t see any reason to remove the fine.”

The bank statement shows £16 left her account, before being returned later the same day.

Now embroiled in a seven-month battle with the authority, Ms Lambert

maintains she is not willing to pay. She added: “I would rather give £380 to Ukraine than to those cowboys.”

Her initial £120 fines totalling £240, or £60 each if paid within 14 days, have since tripled due to late fees being added.

“They are currently sending letters threatening me with bailiffs,” said Ms Lambery. “It’s like something out of Kafka.”

A blunt council letter detailing her unsuccessful appeal read: “Your vehicle registration was within the

CAZ without paying the daily charge at the time, and in the manner, required.”

It is not the first time the appeal process has come under fire, with some believing the council ‘preys on fear’ when issuing fines.

When a driver appeals a fine it may take longer than two weeks – the time allocated for a reduced £60 rate – for the authority to respond.

If it goes beyond 14 days, the standard charge of £120 would apply if proven guilty.

The fine is therefore not ‘frozen’ while an investigation takes place – giving drivers no choice but to fork out the extra cash despite the council appeal overrunning.

Birmingham City Council did not address the fine handed to Ms Lambert, but said in a statement: “For anyone receiving a PCN, which they believe has been issued incorrectly, there are a number of opportunities for challenge or appeal.

“The first opportunity is with the council. Then there’s an additional option to appeal with an independent adjudicator.”