A motorist in Bristol was surprised to receive a fine for driving through a Clean Air Zone when her van was actually being transported on the back of a recovery vehicle. Eve Scragg, the owner of the van, received a letter from Bristol City Council accusing her of breaching the Ulez-like restrictions. However, when Scragg saw the photographic evidence, she found it amusing as the van was clearly being carried by an AA recovery truck. She immediately appealed the £69 fine but has not yet received a response from the council.
Scragg, who is the founder of a local business called Fan The Flames Marketing & Design, expressed her confusion and amusement at the situation. She stated, “When I opened the fine I was a little confused as I knew I hadn’t driven through the clean air zone. I’m always careful to pay the charge in advance if I do, but then laughed when I saw that the van was so clearly on the back of a recovery truck. It’s a bright yellow ex-AA van on the top of a huge yellow AA lorry, so you can’t exactly miss it!”
She also criticized the council for not conducting a human sense-check before issuing the Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and for having inadequate systems in place. Scragg emphasized the importance of timely appeals, as there is a limited period in which people can challenge fines. She expressed relief at having noticed the fine in time and appealed it, as otherwise she would have been faced with a hefty penalty.
Scragg mentioned that the garage which fixed her van informed her that such errors happen frequently. She called on Bristol City Council to address the issue and ensure that photos are checked before fines are issued. The council spokesperson acknowledged the mistake and confirmed that the penalty charge notice had been cancelled.
The article also provides information on the payment process for Clean Air Zones and the consequences of not paying the charge within the specified time frame. It states that fines can be paid up to six days in advance or by 11:59pm on the sixth day after entering the zone. Failure to pay the charge can result in a penalty charge notice, with the amount varying depending on the council overseeing the zone. The maximum payment allowed in a single transaction is £5,000.
