A pensioner is shocked at the high number of penalty notices he has received after mistakenly driving into a bus lane whilst visiting Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council issued the retired pensioner a total of 14 fines for his error, despite him having paid the penalty notice at the first opportunity.
82-year-old, Graham Clarke, said his vehicle’s Sat Nav directed him into a bus lane which he believes was not clearly marked.
Mr Clarke said: “I don’t believe in owing anyone which is why I paid it as soon as I received it.”
However, he kept receiving penalty notices with the same reference number and same offence written on the letters. After being kept on hold for 54 minutes during a call to the council to sort out the issue, he was informed his debt was cleared.
But for the next seven days, the same letter appeared in his letterbox with two even arriving together.
Mr Clarke added: “They just kept coming. Yesterday I received three which makes 14. I am just absolutely flabbergasted. It is harassment. They are threatening me with the bailiffs and extra costs in these letters but I have paid the fine.
“I’ve got photos of the reference number confirming I paid and when I rang they confirmed I have paid.”
The grandad says he feels “stressed” and does not know how to stop the situation.
He explained: “I hold Tunbridge Wells Council responsible as the complaints line is discontinued and the only way is to speak to the traffic parking office line and wait in the queue, which I did last week when I waited 54 minutes one day and again for 38 minutes another day.”
Mr Clarke wants an apology issued and even compensation for telephone costs and time wasted on the phone.
The grandad of 10 grandchildren lives in Petts Wood, London. He was in Tunbridge Wells to attend a surprise birthday party for his sister-in-law.
As it has been 28 days since the incident took place Mr Clarke is worried the council will “come knocking” and he will have to face greater consequences.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said the issue was down to a software glitch and will be in touch with the pensioner to apologise.
A spokeswoman added: “We are very sorry that Mr Clarke has received duplicate letters relating to the same case. On investigation, this was found to be the result of an isolated software issue.”
