ANGRY motorists have demanded their money back as it emerged that many have still not been repaid fines imposed by a firm that ran a controversial car park.

Bradford Council told Smart Parking to shut down Oastler Road car park in Saltaire on October 4 after the local authority discovered the land was declared a public highway, and therefore its use as a paid-for car park was unlawful.

Two and a half months on, it has emerged that some of the fined drivers are still waiting for their money back from Smart Parking.

Now a Shipley councillor is urging people to take Smart Parking to court to reclaim their cash.

John Wolfe, 80, of Cottingley Cliffe Road, Bingley, was fined £60 by Smart Parking after not buying a ticket for the 20 minutes at the site on September 7.

He paid the fine but wrote to Smart Parking on December 1, asking for a refund.

But Smart Parking sent Mr Wolfe a letter, dated December 8, saying it would not rescind the fine. The letter said: “We would like to clarify that the contravention in question is in regards to insufficient paid time on site. You have reached the end of the appeals procedure.”

Mr Wolfe said: “I could do with the money. I would like my money back. I will still be looking to appeal it. I’m annoyed by it.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Cullen, 82, of Hilton Drive, Shipley, said he had still not heard from Smart Parking about rescinding the fines he received.

He received seven letters for three parking fines, of £100 each, for using the car park. Letters for the first two incidents, on June 22 and 23, stated he had parked at the Toscana Retail Park in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland, without getting a ticket. But on those dates he had actually parked at the Oastler Road car park.

He received cancellation letters for both of those fines and both were re-issued, again on separate letters, with Saltaire correctly stated.

He then received a further letter for a third incident, dated July 7, at the Saltaire site. He had paid Smart Parking three fines, for a reduced cost of £180.

Mr Cullen said: “I can’t get anywhere with this situation. I am getting more angry the longer it’s going on. I still want my money back.”

Smart Parking was approached for comment by the Telegraph & Argus but no response was received.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said everyone who has been fined during Smart Parking’s time in charge of the site should get their money back.

He said: “Mr Wolfe was not to know at the time they were operating the car park illegally. Maybe Smart Parking feel like they have nothing to lose now.”

Councillors say hundreds of drivers have been fined up to £100 by the Birmingham-based firm, after not realising Smart Parking required them to log their car’s registration for the free 20-minute stay.

The Council had run the car park under lease from 2004, offering 20 minutes’ free parking, but earlier this year the lease was taken over by Smart Parking.

The company’s equipment and signs were fully removed from the site on November 27, leaving shoppers free to park there without paying ever since.

Cllr Martin Love (Green, Shipley) said: “We are encouraging people to take Smart Parking to court. We think people who have been fined should give Smart Parking 14 days to repay them and if not, then take them to court.

“Hundreds of people have been affected.”

Bradford Council called on Smart Parking to refund its fines to drivers. A Council spokesman said: “We continue to call on Smart Parking to refund its fines for Oastler Road customers, and remain keen to discuss the way forward with the company’s managers.

“Smart Parking is a private company and decisions on refunding its fines remain a matter for the firm, not Bradford Council.”

The British Parking Association (BPA) said:“There is no set procedure to obtain a refund. The main course of action would be through the courts however, this could be costly and time consuming.”

The BPA also urged motorists to write to Smart Parking setting out their case before considering other options.