A father recovering from abdominal surgery was subjected to aggressive debt collection after a friend drove through a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) that was later declared unlawful by the High Court. Roger Minnis, 58, from Croydon, was given a lift to his GP in June last year, inadvertently passing through a restricted zone on Holmesdale Road.
Debt Collection Harassment
Despite never receiving a penalty charge notice (PCN), the driver received a letter from debt collection agency CDER Group in November, demanding hundreds of pounds for an unpaid fine. Mr Minnis and his daughter Saffron contacted the collectors on the driver's behalf but were bombarded with calls and texts, even though the van was not registered to them.
Saffron, 29, described the council's response as 'absolutely disgusting' and said she received no help. The situation escalated until the High Court ruled in March that Croydon's LTNs were primarily a money-making scheme and ordered their removal.
Health Emergency Context
Mr Minnis had recently undergone major surgery and was bleeding from a wound when he called his GP. A friend drove him, taking a route that entered the LTN. From his home, the surgery was a two-minute drive via that route, but much longer otherwise. The family thought nothing of the trip until the debt collector's letter arrived in November.
The debt collectors claimed the driver owed £250, which escalated to £325 after a 'compliance stage fee'. Saffron said they had not received the original PCN. When she called CDER, an employee was 'threatening' and 'aggressive', insisting the fine would increase if not paid immediately. That same day, the fine rose to £565.
Legal Battle and Council Profiteering
Saffron prepared an appeal to the Traffic Enforcement Centre, but CDER continued to contact her despite the van not being hers. The company claimed Mr Minnis was a director of the van's owning company, but provided no evidence. In one message, they said ANPR cameras were 'actively looking' for the van.
After daily calls, Saffron blocked CDER's number. Her appeal was rejected in February, with the centre saying she had not explained why it was late, despite her claim of ignorance until the debt collector's letter. She was told to pay £313 for a hearing or £123 for a review without one. Bailiffs then began calling.
In March, the High Court ruled all six of Croydon's LTNs unlawful, finding they were primarily to raise money. The council had made £7.2 million from fines. Drivers can now claim refunds, but the council has not committed to returning the full amount.
Aftermath and Apologies
Upon learning of the ruling, Saffron asked the council to cancel the PCN and remove her details from the bailiffs' database. She received no reply but CDER confirmed the fine was withdrawn. She criticised the lack of apology or correspondence from the council.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden condemned the LTNs as 'rotten' and called for easy refunds. A Croydon Council spokesperson apologised for the resident's problems, stating the fine was cancelled after the ruling but maintained it was issued correctly at the time. They said agencies acting on their behalf should use a proportionate approach. CDER Group said their staff were polite and helpful, and that enforcement was suspended once the resident filed challenge forms.
