Croydon motorists believe they are victims of software glitch

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

Dozens of Croydon motorists have been hit with penalty charge notices (PCNs), ordering them to pay £195 without offering them a chance to pay the standard reduced £65 figure.

Croydon council is investigating whether a software failure is to blame for the fault, which targeted motorists who drove through prohibited roads during November and December of 2023.

While most acknowledged they drove through these zones and would pay the initial fine, they believe the order for a £195 fine without the chance to contest is unfair.

Sel Sharpe, an elderly motorist from Shirley, who was caught driving back from Croydon University Hospital, said: “I just think that it’s kind of heart-wrenching to get something like that when you’re a pensioner. They just need to get it right.

“I’m incensed. It’s cold at this time of year, do we have to now cut down on food because we are being made to pay £195?”

She is not the only pensioner who had experienced this. She discovered another elderly driver drove through the same restricted section of Lodge Road and received a similar letter demanding £195 instead of the initial £65.

Others have come forward to say they have paid the initial fine, but still received letters from Croydon council saying they must pay the full amount or face enforcement action.

South Norwood resident Jeanette Goddard said: “The problem is that you can’t question it as there are no phone lines you can get hold of. You can send them an email but more often than not they don’t bother to respond.

“I did try Croydon council, but I waited half an hour one day and 45 minutes the next. They only told me the same thing, which was that I had to send an email.”

She added: “I was parking in the street, waiting to get my tyre changed. As I moved off, the camera caught me going down that road. I paid on November 21, but they did not acknowledge it and the next letter said it had now gone up to £195.

“I’ve already sent them all the proof, so I don’t know what the problem is. There is obviously something going on with their computer system. It’s like [the recent TV dramatisation] Mr Bates vs The Post Office.”

On the online platform Nextdoor, one resident said: “Right now I do not have the funds for the full increased amount and feel very upset.

“I have never received the PCN and it’s already escalated to the charge certificate. I fear it will affect my credit score if I don’t pay and it is causing a lot of tension.”

Ian Marvin, from Croydon, said: “I had a notice dated November 21. Needless to say it arrived too late to pay within the 10 days or whatever as I’m sure it didn’t actually leave until the New Year and then we only seem, like most others, to get one delivery every week.”

Tory councillor Alasdair Stewart, who represents Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown, said: “It’s clear from the residents I’ve spoken to, both in person this weekend and on online platforms, that there is an issue – possibly compounded by delays and issues with Royal Mail deliveries.

“I’m sorry for the added stress this will be causing residents, especially at what is typically an expensive time of year. The Mayor and relevant cabinet members are aware, and I’m sure will do everything they can to fix any issues and ensure residents don’t lose out.

“If anyone didn’t receive the original PCN notification letter, they should contact the council directly or via their local councillors.”

While they await the council’s official response to the issue, residents have also discussed the possibility of filing a statutory declaration with the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC). This option could provide them with an alternate means of redress.

A Croydon council statement said: “We are investigating a potential software problem that may have impacted some PCNs issued in the borough late last year.

“We are currently looking into this further and apologise for any inconvenience or distress that may have been caused.”

Pictured top: Traffic restrictions in Croydon (Picture: Harrison Galliven/LDRS)