Yorkshire council faces major payout over errors in traffic regulation orders

A Yorkshire council is expected to have to refund hundreds of thousands of pounds after discovering errors in some of its traffic regulation orders.

Calderdale Council revealed that some of the issues dated back to 2008. The problems mean that the authority has temporarily lifted on-street parking charges in Halifax town centre and in Skircoat.

The council admitted that the traffic regulation orders could not be legally enforced.

However, charging for off-street parking, in the council’s car parks in Halifax town centre, remains unaffected.

Ian Gray, Calderdale’s Director of Economy and Environment, said: “Traffic regulation orders are highly technical documents and this issue only came to light after one of our orders was challenged…. 

“When we realised there was a problem we immediately stopped issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in the affected areas. We are also switching off the parking meters in those streets so that they can no longer accept payments.”

Gray added: “The charges for on-street pay and display parking, and for some residents’ parking in these areas have now been temporarily suspended. As the old order was unenforceable, drivers who have received a PCN after parking in the affected streets will be able to request a refund. We will write directly to all affected residents in Skircoat.”

The council is now checking to see whether TROs covering other areas of Calderdale are correct.

Gray said: “We have started to review these but as they are very detailed, complex documents it will take several months for us to complete this assessment. As soon as we have more information we will make this public.”

Calderdale will still issue PCNs where cars are parked on yellow lines, in loading bays, in disabled bays and in car parks.