Over 130 refund requests after parking fine 'mistake'

More than 130 people have requested refunds after they were wrongly given parking fines in Surrey.

Elmbridge Borough Council incorrectly sent out penalty charge notices (PCNs) in five areas over a six-year period.

In the first two weeks of the council's refund scheme, 137 applications for PCN refunds have been received. So far 46 have been paid, while a further 50 are listed as "ready for payment".

The council has apologised to everyone affected by the "mistake" and said it had made the refund process "as simple as possible, with refunds issued within two weeks of a valid claim".

Another 19 applications are in progress and 22 applications have been dismissed as ineligible for refunds, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A number of car parks across Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge were affected, with the council blaming the error on a "procedural issue".

The council said 9,318 parking notices were issued at the 17 affected car parks between January 2020 and April 2026.

Drivers who think they may be affected are urged to check their eligibility and submit a claim via the council's website or by phone.

Council leader Mike Rollings previously said: "I apologise to everyone affected by this mistake.

"We're determined to put this right quickly, and we will open a clear, simple refund process as soon as possible so people can get their money back."

The council said the loss, which could amount to £308,000, was projected to come out of reserves.

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