A LEADING councillor has said the authority has “worked hard” to notify people that they are eligible for refunds for fines from an illegal box junction.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) act response to a request from Richard Kingswood, of the Rise, Leytonstone, revealed the council has only refunded £33,875 of the £267,995 collected at the junction, which was installed on the corner of Burghley Road and High Road.
The junction was removed as it was found to overlap a cycle lane, and the council pledged to refund all the fines.
The low amount of money refunded has led Guardian readers to question whether the council should have done more to inform motorists of their eligibility for a refund, by writing to them directly.
But Cllr Bob Belam, cabinet member for environment, said: “ We have worked hard to notify residents of the refunds for all motorists who were wrongly issued fixed penalty notice at this junction including a notice in Waltham Forest News which sees 100,000 copies delivered across Waltham Forest every fortnight."
Cllr Belam's comments are unlikely to placate those who are convinced the council should be doing more to let motorists know they can claim refunds.
Richard Kingswood, of The Rise, Leytonstone, who submitted the FOI request, said: “I have to say I think it's disgraceful that they haven't made more of an effort to refund this money.
“I can understand that it may be difficult to trace a small percentage of motorists but it appears that nearly 90 per cent of fines paid have yet to be refunded and we are now more than 18 months after the council made its original promise.”
George Panteli, 53, of Harold Road, Leytonstone, campaigned against the council's implementation of the junction for months before it was finally removed.
Mr Panteli said: “This is disgusting, surely the council can send a few letters telling people they are eligible for the money?“ Motorists who wish to claim should call the council's parking section on 8496 3000.
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