Post office delays led to Dulwich mum being fined double because she did not get penalty charge notice – but parking chiefs have backed down

By Robert Firth, local democracy reporter

 

A mum was initially slapped with a three-figure fine for driving through a road block because South London post deliveries are so bad.

Samantha Byrne says huge post delays mean she didn’t receive her £65 parking ticket for a month.

Mrs Byrne, who lives in East Dulwich, received the penalty charge after accidentally driving into a low traffic neighbourhood in Croydon on November 30 last year.

A Croydon Council letter dated December 8 2021 said she would only have to pay £65 if she coughed up the money within 14 days of the printed date.

But Mrs Byrne says Royal Mail delays meant she only received the letter on January 5 2022 – 28 days after it was sent.

The 57-year-old faced having to shell out £130 for the ticket – and narrowly avoided having to pay the £195 penalty for fines paid after a month. But Croydon officers now say they will backtrack on the demand.

She said: “I’m livid. I got the letter on the 28th day after the letter was sent with lots of my Christmas cards. It’s just ridiculous.

“I went the route I’ve been going for 25 years. They’ve put up these stupid zones that I didn’t know about. I wasn’t trying to be a smart arse.”

Traffic cameras snapped Mrs Byrne turning into Thomson Crescent by Euston Road in Croydon on November 30 2021.

She was returning home from a day out in the South London town, taking a route she had used for decades without problem.

Mrs Byrne was unaware that since August 2020 cars have been banned from using Thomson Crescent as a shortcut during school drop-off and leaving hours on weekdays.

The Croydon council traffic order prohibits motorists from driving down the street between 8am and 9:30am and 2pm and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Mrs Byrne said: “I sent them [Croydon Council]  £65 on the 28th day with a photo saying ‘this is the day I got it.’ I don’t know if they want the full £130.

“Ironically, because of the post, they have not come back with a response yet.

“I would rather fight it [but] I will pay it if they want it. I’m mad.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Deliveries are operating as normal across most of the country.

“We aim to deliver to all addresses we have mail for, six days a week.

“In a small number of local offices this may temporarily not be possible due to local issues such as COVID-related self-isolation, higher than usual levels of sickness absence, resourcing or other local factors.

“We are providing targeted support to the local offices affected by these issues and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience they may have experienced.

“Our postmen and women are continuing to work incredibly hard, as they have done throughout the pandemic, and we are thankful for all of their efforts and determination.”

Croydon council said due to post delays it would accept a payment of £65 from Mrs Byrne.

A council spokesperson said: “We always exercise discretion when processing penalty charges.

“In this case the original penalty amount was paid and accepted. This matter is now closed.”