THE driver who successfully challenged a Cherwell District Council parking fine has welcomed news the authority is repaying more than £11,000.

The council has been ordered to repay fines it dished out to blue badge holders and drivers who unwittingly failed to pay new evening charges.

Last April, Cherwell introduced night-time fees and started charging blue badge holders, but didn’t put up enough signs to warn motorists, Local Government Ombudsman Dr Jane Martin ruled.

Patricia Brindle, who was one of the drivers fined £80 for not buying a ticket, took the council to the Ombudsman.

Ms Brindle, of Langford Village, Bicester, had parked in the town’s Bure Place car park.

She said: “My complaint was not about the charges for parking but about the council’s publicity. They targeted the population via the Press and meetings, rather than erect an adequate sign at the entrance to the car park which would have targeted the people who were using the car park.”

A spokesman for Cherwell District Council said: "The actual situation is that the ombudsman recommended that Cherwell pay back the five fines associated with the complaints and the council chose to go further and pay back all blue badge and evening charges within the specified period."

The council is paying back £11,600 in fines to 145 people.