Only 1,220 refund claims are in for 9,318 wrongly issued Elmbridge car park fines. Claims close 1 March 2027: the car parks, the times and the proof you need.

Drivers wrongly fined in Elmbridge’s council car parks have made 1,220 refund claims since the scheme opened on 3 June. The council says 9,318 penalty charge notices were issued in the affected car parks since 2020.

Claims close at 5pm on 1 March 2027. That deadline is written into the refund scheme Cabinet adopted in May. The council’s refund web pages do not mention it.

The council’s latest figures, covering 3 June to 8 September, show:

  • 1,220 applications received
  • 1,167 paid
  • 53 still being processed
  • 35 ruled ineligible

The council has not said how many individual fines those applications cover.

Why the fines were invalid

The problem was legal paperwork, not the parking rules themselves. The Cabinet report of 19 May says the Elmbridge Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Consolidation Order 2019 was not lawfully implemented. Nor were two later variations, which took effect on 6 January 2020 and 28 February 2022.

Fines issued under an order that was not properly made “had no legal effect”, the report says. So the council was not entitled to the money.

The report also says: “There is no evidence that the TROs would have been rejected if the proper consultation had been carried out.” That is why pay and display charges are not being refunded. The council’s position is that drivers who paid to park got the parking they paid for.

The council expects most people not to claim

The same report puts the most that could be reclaimed at £307,539. The council set aside £80,000 for refunds, about a quarter of that.

It based the lower figure on “a council in the South East” that ran a similar scheme. In other words, it expects most eligible drivers never to come forward.

The council cannot write to them. Its scheme FAQ says keeper details behind a number plate are held by the DVLA and cannot be used to contact drivers about refunds. The exception is fines that went to bailiffs. The council already holds those people’s details and says it will contact them.

Cabinet asked for a report on how the scheme is working every quarter.

Refund claims against fines issued, and money set aside against the maximum Bar chart. Fines issued in the affected car parks since 2020: 9,318. Refund applications received 3 June to 8 September 2026: 1,220. Applications paid: 1,167. In progress: 53. Ineligible: 35. Most that could be reclaimed: 307,539 pounds. Set aside for refunds: 80,000 pounds. Refund claims so far, against the fines issued Elmbridge council car parks. Claims 3 June to 8 September 2026. Fines issued since 2020 9,318 Applications received 1,220 Applications paid 1,167 In progress / ineligible 53 / 35 The money Most that could be reclaimed £307,539 Set aside for refunds £80,000 Sources: Elmbridge Borough Council refund figures, updated 10 September 2026; Cabinet report, 19 May 2026. Graphic by Elmbridge News
One application may cover more than one fine; the council has not published that split.

Which car parks and times qualify

A fine counts only if it was issued in a listed car park, at a listed time. The scheme Cabinet adopted sets three windows:

  • Monday to Saturday, 8am to 9am and 6pm to 7pm, from 6 January 2020 to 10 April 2026
  • Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames only: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10am, from 6 January 2020 to 30 April 2026
  • Sundays, from 24 April 2022 to 29 March 2026
Car park Weekday 8am to 9am and 6pm to 7pm Sundays
Berguette, Esher Yes Yes
Civic Centre, Esher Yes Yes
Heather Place, Esher Yes Yes
Highwayman’s Cottage, Esher Yes Yes
Cedar Road, Cobham Yes Yes
Hollyhedge Road, Cobham Yes Yes
Mayfield Road, Hersham No Yes
Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames Yes, and 8am to 10am Yes
Drewitt’s Court, Walton-on-Thames Yes Yes
Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames Yes Yes
Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames No Yes
Walton Park, Walton-on-Thames No Yes
Churchfield Road, Weybridge Yes Yes
Monument Hill, Weybridge Yes Yes
Baker Street, Weybridge Yes Yes
Heath North, Weybridge No Yes
Heath South, Weybridge No Yes

A fine in any other car park, or at any other time, is not covered.

A penalty in these car parks is usually £50, or £25 if paid within 14 days, the FAQ says. You get back what you actually paid. No interest is added.

What it means for you

If you paid a fine in one of those car parks, check it now. The online claim form starts with your number plate. It tells you whether that vehicle was issued a fine that is in scope.

You will need:

  • your name and contact details
  • the vehicle registration number
  • proof you paid the fine
  • bank details for the refund

Most payments appear on bank statements as “ELMBRIDGE BOROUGH”. The council asks for the payment reference, the date and the amount.

You can still claim if you have sold the car, as long as you know the registration. If a company or hire firm paid, the claimant must show authority to receive the money. If you cannot apply online, call 01372 474 474 and staff will take the claim by phone.

The council aims to pay valid claims within two weeks. If you are turned down, the council’s complaints procedure does not apply to the scheme. The route is the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Our parking in Elmbridge guide has the current charges and free-parking times for each council car park.

Sources