AN EALING resident was hit with seven separate fines for driving past a no-entry sign, potentially totalling £715.
Ollie Jones, 26, moved into his house in The Grove in February and unwittingly drove down Mattock Lane seven times between March 5 and 13.
His vehicle had not yet been registered with the DVLA to his new address, meaning he did not receive a penalty charge notice until on March 13.
He received his first fine after making seven wrong turns - and he argues he would not have repeated the offence had he received the notice sooner.
He said: “I feel like I have been taken advantage of. I feel their actions were to get as much money from me as they were legally able to.”
A breach of the moving traffic conventions results in a £65 fine, which doubles after 14 days without appeal.
Mr Jones has paid four of his fines, at a cost of £260, out of fear of them doubling and has appealed against his three remaining charges.
There is a dispute over the status of his seventh charge as Mr Jones claims he has appealed against it but the council increased this to £195 after non-payment within the time.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “It is the responsibility of every driver to ensure they follow road signs under the Highway Code and, as a registered car owner, inform the DVLA of any change of address without delay.
“Cancelling any of the notices would be inappropriate as it suggests a motorist can fail to comply with the restrictions at a certain location many times and be penalised only once."
As it stands, the minimum Mr Jones is expected to pay in total is £585, meaning he currently owes the council £325.
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