Dozens of people have claimed their money back after they were wrongly issued driving fines in Reading - but thousands of people are still eligible for refunds.

This October, Reading Borough Council admitted that 6,316 penalty charge notice (PCN) fines along red routes and in parking zones were wrongly issued due to incorrectly implemented traffic regulation orders.

That same month, councillors agreed to a restitution scheme to refund those who were wrongly fined.

Of the 275 claims or enquiries made so far, 73 fines have been confirmed for a refund, with 120 claims being refused.

The figures were revealed in a report by James Penman, the council's network services manager to the council's traffic management sub-committee.

James Penman (front table, furthest right), Reading Borough Council network services manager at a meeting of the traffic management sub-committee.James Penman (front table, furthest right), Reading Borough Council network services manager at a meeting of the traffic management sub-committee. (Image: Reading Borough Council)

John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), the lead councillor for transport, said: "A mistake has been made, we are sorry that happened, and we are doing as much as we can possible to ensure that those who were wrongly issued with a penalty notice will be able to get their money back.

"We would recommend anyone out there who may have got a ticket in these areas to make a claim to get the money back.

READ MORE: Councillors apologise for shocking driving and parking fines blunder

"The idea is to get and make sure that has been wrongly given a penalty notice will be able to get the money back."

The council's highways team has committed to delivering reports to the committee until the rectification work is complete.  Cllr Ennis welcomed the communications between the team and ward councillors.

Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward (Labour, Thames) said: "Labour councillors want to see people are owed money repaid that money as quickly as possible.

"We are hitting the target of considering the cases within 28 days."

But there were questions over why more claims had not been made, with cllr Barnett-Ward pointing out that 202 claims were not verified.

The council has initially predicted that the refunds will cost around £360,000.

READ MORE: Parking fines blunder will cost Reading council around £360,000

Cllr Rob White (Green, Park), the leader of the opposition said: "The bottom line with this report is that the council has broken the law and needs to put this right.

"Some people have had bailiffs turn up on their doorstep and financial hardship because of the illegal council action.

"However, at the same time, the council needs to spend council money putting this right in a proportional manner.

"It is concerning that takeup of this scheme following the initial £300k predicted is so low.

"My suspicion is for people who may have a small number of tickets the process is too hard for a relatively small amount of money.

"Other people might be put off by the quite high level of information that is asked for."

However, cllr White was glad that officers will write to more people who are due a refund.

READ MORE: Council slammed for taking 'their eyes off the road' in driving fine blunder

Mr Penman replied that more detailed breakdowns of the reasons for refusing refunds will be available in the future.

He said: "I am aware that there are some 'chancers' already, it's not unexpected, I understand the level of information that is being asked for is to make sure the money is going back where it should."

The report was delivered at a meeting on November 27.