Borough to refund penalty charges after failure to transfer enforcement powers

A London council is to reimburse drivers who received a penalty charge notice at a heritage site after discovering that enforcement powers were not transferred to the trust running the car park.

The London Borough of Hounslow blamed the mistake in relation to the car park in Chiswick House Trust on “an administrative error”.

The Evening Standard reported that up to 700 drivers could be entitled to a refund, costing the council £21,000.

Those receiving a PCN since May 2013 will be reimbursed. However, the local authority said that due to data protection restrictions, it was unable to contact motorists directly.

A Hounslow Council spokesperson said: “All parking enforcement undertaken by Hounslow Council at Chiswick House Trust has stopped from today (4 March). We are in discussions with the Trust to assist them with alternative arrangements at the site.

“We regret the error and apologise to those who were issued with Penalty Charge Notices. We invite anyone who has been fined to contact us so we can arrange for them to receive a full refund.”