Bus Lane Fine Refund

By John Stratford, 20th June 2012, 11:09

Thousands of drivers illegally fined for straying into a bus lane in Hemel Hempstead are going to be asked if they want to give their refunds to charity.

Hertfordshire County Council are going to pay back more than a million pounds after a tribunal decided the Moor End Road bus lane wasn't signposted well enough.

Letters are going to be sent out, inviting drivers who have been fined to claim a refund.  Drivers who also be asked if they want to donate their refund to the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

Hertfordshire highways boss Stuart Pile told Heart: "They are a local charity, they do a lot work in the area.  We think they are very worthwhile.  They are physically capable of absorbing that amount of money and doing great work with it."

"I'm receiving e-mails and messages to say that certain people would want their money paid back to them and then they give it to charity and that's fine.  We don't want to put any pressure on anybody to make that choice, but I do hope people will take the charity option."

The Hospice of St Francis will also get the first £100,000 of refunds that go unclaimed.  Drivers have until 31 December 2012 to claim their refund.