Volkswagen Transporter van racks up record £32,000 in unpaid parking fines because it’s ‘too big’ to tow away
A VAN owner has managed to rack up a whopping £32,000 worth of unpaid parking fines, believed to be a UK record.
And the local council claims it continued to slap penalty notices on the vehicle because it was simply "too big" to tow away.
The white Volkswagen Transporter has been issued with 246 fixed penalty notices since July 2017.
Regularly parked illegally in streets around Tower Hamlets, a council spokesperson said the van was "too large for removal trucks", meaning the local authority had no choice but to continue issuing parking tickets.
Each fine is worth around £130, with the council offering a 50 per cent discount if paid within two weeks.
Unfortunately, Tower Hamlets Council has been unable to track the owner of the vehicle, forcing them to write off some £10,000 worth of older fines.
When can I appeal a parking ticket?
A fine may be deemed unfair by the council or an independent adjudicator if:
- Signs were wrong - If the signs weren’t visible or gave the wrong information.
- The traffic warden got it wrong - E.g, if they gave you a ticket when they shouldn’t have.
- An error on the letter or ticket - If they’ve left out any information on the ‘Notice to Owner’ letter, then you could get it waived.
- You didn’t own the vehicle at the time - You’ll have to prove this, such as information you provided to the DVLA.
- Your car was stolen - If a thief parked the car illegally then you can get it waived.
The VW is allegedly not taxed, has no valid MOT or insurance, and has been registered under a fake name with the DVLA.
After being fined constantly for almost two years, it was last week removed by the council when they drafted in "specialist equipment".
Currently impounded, to get the van back the owner will have to pay the most recent fine, along with a £200 tow fee and £40 for every day it sits in the yard.
But the council will still need to chase down fees for over 150 valid fines outstanding on the registration.
A council spokesman told : “This vehicle has a history of being parked illegally across the borough, causing significant inconvenience to our residents.
“As the owner has repeatedly failed to pay penalty charge notices for past offences, the vehicle was immediately removed and taken to the car pound using a specially commissioned tow truck.
“It will be held securely for 35 days or until the owner is able to provide the paperwork to prove the vehicle belongs to them. If it is not claimed within the time, it will be destroyed.”
More parking peeves and fails
The previous unofficial record for the most parking fines issued to one motorist was held by Scottish driver Carly Mackie.
She was ordered to pay £24,500 in unpaid fines after wrongly believing they were illegally issued and ignoring them.
In October 2017, Mackie claimed the charges had sent her bankrupt.