We apologise for incorrectly issued parking fines and will refund customers

25 June 2026

Refund scheme open for incorrectly issued parking fines in Elmbridge

Parking fine refund scheme opens

Refund application status: 3 June 2026 to 23 June 2026 

• Total applications received: 244
• Total applications paid: 111
• Total applications ready for payment: 94
• Total ineligible applications: 24
• Total applications in progress: 15

Elmbridge Borough Council has opened a refund scheme for customers who were incorrectly issued parking fines in some council car parks.

We are very sorry that some parking fines (Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued in error due to a procedural issue affecting parking arrangements between January 2020 and April 2026. 

If you received a parking fine in one of our car parks during this time, you may be able to claim a refund. We encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to come forward and apply.

The issue affected car parks in Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge. 

How to apply for a refund

• Go to our parking fine refund page or contact us by phone if you cannot apply online
• Tell us your contact details
• Provide your vehicle registration number
• Share proof of payment
• Submit your application

We will review your claim and, if it is approved, arrange your refund within 2 weeks.

Dawn Crewe, Strategic Director at Elmbridge Borough Council, said:

“We are very sorry that a procedural error led to some parking fines being issued incorrectly. Once we identified the issue, we worked quickly to put things right and introduce a refund scheme.

“We have designed the process to be as straightforward as possible so that anyone affected can reclaim their money, and we aim to issue refunds within two weeks of a valid claim submission.”

If you think you may be eligible, please check the details on our website and submit a claim.

About the parking fine refund scheme: information and guidance about the scheme.

19 May 2026

Elmbridge apologises for parking fine errors and commits to quick refunds

At the May Elmbridge Cabinet meeting, Councillors provided an apology to Elmbridge car park users for the enforcement errors that led to over 9,000 parking fines being issued incorrectly. They also agreed a refund process that will open as soon as possible in June to allow drivers to claim their refunds, pledging to pay eligible claims within 2 weeks.

Councillor Mike Rollings, Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council

“I apologise to everyone affected by this mistake. We’re determined to put this right quickly, and we will open a clear, simple refund process as soon as possible so people can get their money back.”

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy

“I’m very sorry this happened, and I know it will have caused real inconvenience for some people. That’s why I’m determined to open the refund process ASAP. When it does open, I encourage anyone affected to contact us so we can process their refund. Once a claim is approved, our aim is to pay refunds within 2 weeks.”

Parking fines issued incorrectly

Due to procedural error, some parking fines (Penalty Charge Notices – PCNs) were issued incorrectly in Elmbridge council car parks from 2020 onwards. We sincerely apologise for this mistake and want to reassure everyone affected that a clear refund process will be introduced so that fines issued incorrectly can be paid back.

The council car parks impacted are in Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge. 

Parking fines issued as follows may be eligible for a refund.

Parking fines issued between 8am and 9am, and between 6pm and 7pm, in the following car parks since 6 January 2020 may be eligible for a refund:

• Berguette, Esher
• Civic Centre, Esher
• Heather Place, Esher
• Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher
• Cedar Road, Cobham
• Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
• Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames
• Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames
• Churchfield Road, Weybridge
• Monument Hill, Weybridge
• Baker Street, Weybridge

Parking fines issued on any Sunday in the following car parks since 24 April 2022 may be eligible for a refund:

• Berguette, Esher
• Civic Centre, Esher
• Heather Place, Esher
• Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher
• Cedar Road, Cobham
• Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
• Mayfield Road, Hersham
• Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames
• Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames
• Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames
• Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames
• Walton Park, Walton-on-Thames
• Churchfield Road, Weybridge
• Monument Hill, Weybridge
• Baker Street, Weybridge
• Heath North, Weybridge
• Heath South, Weybridge

For Ashley Park car park in Walton-on-Thames, parking fines issued between 8am and 10am or between 6pm and 7pm, since 6 January 2020 may be eligible for a refund

9,318 Parking Charge Notices have been issued in these car parks since 2020.

The refund process

Customers who received a parking fine in any of these car parks from 2020 may be eligible for a refund. The refund process will open in June and we will make it as simple as possible to seek a refund. 

Refund applications will be online through our website (elmbridge.gov.uk) or by phoning us directly (01372 474 474).

In order to process a refund, customers will be asked for the following information:

• name and contact details
• vehicle registration number
• proof of payment
• bank details for payment

While we are working to issue refunds, will be also put in place the correct legal framework to increase the number of council car parks allowing 30 minutes free parking (for a trial period) and to reduce the charging hours in town centre car parks -  we expect these to be a come into force towards the end of June 2026. Elmbridge Borough Council froze car parking charges in its 2026/27 budget.

Monday 11 May 2026

• Parking fines in some council car parks have been incorrectly issued since 2020
• We apologise to everyone affected
• Refunds process will open in June 

We’re sorry to report that because of a procedural error, some parking fines (Penalty Charge Notices – PCNs) were issued incorrectly in Elmbridge council car parks from 2020 onwards. We sincerely apologise for this mistake and want to reassure everyone affected that a clear refund process will be introduced so that fines issued incorrectly can be paid back.

The council car parks impacted are in Esher, Cobham, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge. 

Parking fines issued as follows may be eligible for a refund.

Parking fines issued between 8am and 9am, and between 6pm and 7pm, in the following car parks since 6 January 2020 may be eligible for a refund:

• Berguette, Esher
• Civic Centre, Esher
• Heather Place, Esher
• Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher
• Cedar Road, Cobham
• Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
• Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames
• Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames
• Churchfield Road, Weybridge
• Monument Hill, Weybridge
• Baker Street, Weybridge

Parking fines issued on any Sunday in the following car parks since 24 April 2022 may be eligible for a refund:

• Berguette, Esher
• Civic Centre, Esher
• Heather Place, Esher
• Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher
• Cedar Road, Cobham
• Hollyhedge Road, Cobham
• Mayfield Road, Hersham
• Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames
• Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames
• Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames
• Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames
• Walton Park, Walton-on-Thames
• Churchfield Road, Weybridge
• Monument Hill, Weybridge
• Baker Street, Weybridge
• Heath North, Weybridge
• Heath South, Weybridge

For Ashley Park car park in Walton-on-Thames, parking fines issued between 8am and 10am or between 6pm and 7pm, since 6 January 2020 may be eligible for a refund

9,318 Parking Charge Notices have been issued in these car parks since 2020.

The refund process

Customers who received a parking fine in any of these car parks from 2020 may be eligible for a refund. The refund process will open in June and we will make it as simple as possible to seek a refund. 

Refund applications will be online through our website (elmbridge.gov.uk) or by phoning us directly (01372 474 474).

In order to process a refund, customers will be asked for the following information:

• name and contact details
• vehicle registration number
• proof of payment
• bank details for payment

Our aim is to pay all successful claims within 14 days of receiving the claim. Full details of the refund scheme will be available when the scheme opens in June.

At the 19 May Elmbridge Cabinet meeting, Councillors will be provided with the details of the refund scheme and asked to approve its roll-out to parking customers. If it is approved, the scheme will open in June.  We’ll keep you informed and share the exact start date as soon as it’s confirmed, so you know when and how you can apply. 

At this stage we can’t confirm an exact date in June, as the required council governance procedures must take place first.

Dawn Crewe, Strategic Director, Elmbridge Borough Council would like to apologise to impacted customers:

“I am very sorry that a procedural error has led to parking fines being issued incorrectly in some of our car parks. I understand this will be frustrating for those affected, and I want to reassure residents and visitors that we are doing everything we can to put this right. The refund process will be kept as straightforward as possible, with refunds issued within 2 weeks of successful application, and we will make sure the scheme is widely publicised so that everyone who may be affected is aware.”

While we are working to issue refunds, will be also put in place the correct legal framework to increase the number of council car parks allowing 30 minutes free parking (for a trial period) and to reduce the charging hours in town centre car parks -  we expect these to be a come into force from July 2026. Elmbridge Borough Council froze car parking charges in its 2026/27 budget.