Sheffield congestion fines refunded after clock change blunder

Sheffield's CAZ runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the city centre, but does not apply to private cars or motorbikes

More than £500,000 of congestion zone fines issued with the wrong time are to be repaid or cancelled by a council.

A "technical error" on 26 March, when clocks went forward to British Summer Time, saw camera pictures stamped with incorrect data, Sheffield Council said.

The blunder meant about 4,700 non-compliant penalty charges for Clean Air Zone (CAZ) violations were issued over a 12-day period.

Council Leader Tom Hunt said he was "frustrated" by the mistake.

"As soon as we found out about this, we've been working with the suppliers to understand the full extent of the problem and put in place a system so that we're rectifying the error," he said.

"It's important the systems are working accurately and appropriately and as I say we're disappointed and understand people's frustration about this."

Those who breach the zone are fined £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

The error happened just a month after the CAZ, which covers much of the city centre, including the ring road and parts of the A57 Parkway, was launched.

In its first month the zone raised just over £210,500 in charges and fines

Drivers of smaller vehicles which do not meet emission standards are charged £10 a day for entering the zone, while drivers of non-compliant buses, coaches, lorries and HGVs must pay £50 per day.

The scheme generated more than £210,500 in charges and fines during the first month of operation,

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the transport committee at the council , said the authority had anticipated "some teething issues".

He said the systems would be "closely monitored going forward".

Sheffield Council said a "technical error" at a "third-party supplier level" had been responsible for almost 5,000 being issued incorrectly

The council said it was now in the process of refunding all paid Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) with the incorrect timestamp.

A spokesperson said for those who had already paid their fine the council would retain the cost of the CAZ charge and refund the outstanding amount.

Clean Air Zones

Clean Air Zones are set geographical areas where certain types of vehicles must comply with emissions standards, or pay a fine.

There are currently 15 active Clean Air Zones in the UK, including in York, Bradford and Sheffield.

Plans for a CAZ in Leeds were scrapped after the city's air quality improved.

In London there has been controversy following Labour mayor Sadiq Khan's plan to expand the city's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) into outer London.

The plan, scheduled to begin on 29 August, would see the zone cover an area three times its current size.

Lawyers for five Conservative-led councils that are challenging Mr Khan's plan argue he acted unlawfully by applying an order "varying" existing regulations.