18000 Manchester driving fines voided | News Centre | Admiral Car ...

Lawyers have declared that more than 18,000 bus lane fines handed to Manchester motorists by the city council are illegal.

The drivers were caught on camera using Manchester bus lanes between October 2006 and May 2007, BBC News reported .

However, the cameras were only approved for use by the Department for Transport (DfT) in December 2008.

Lawyers have now ruled out retrospective certification, meaning that Manchester City Council may have to pay out more than £544,000 in refunds.

Motorists who think they were fined for the offence during the period are advised to contact the council, which says it will consider each case on its own merits.

Council chief executive Vicky Rosin admitted there had been "a deeply regrettable administrative oversight", though reminded drivers that all bus lane cameras in the city now enjoy DfT approval.

"We have taken steps to notify the public as soon as this technicality came to our attention. We apologise for this mix-up," she added.

"However, we want to remind people that all of our current bus lane enforcement cameras have full approval and we remain determined to ensure that bus lanes stay free-flowing for the benefit of public transport users and to help prevent congestion."

Source: 18000 Manchester driving fines voided | News Centre | Admiral Car ...

Two-thirds of Van Drivers Consider Buying New Van Before VAT Increase Says Swinton

04.07.10

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - July 4, 2010) - Two-thirds of UK van drivers are considering purchasing a new van before the VAT increase, according to Swinton Vans.

The online poll of 1,200 van insurance customers revealed 67% of van drivers are considering saving cash by buying a van before the VAT rate increases to 20% on 4th January 2011.

The VAT increase, announced in the recent emergency budget, will see the average price for a new Ford Transit rise from GBP 20,157 to GBP 20,586 - an increase of GBP 429.

A 1% increase in Insurance Premium Tax also means van drivers will be paying more tax on their annual insurance policy from January.

Phil Moss, Commercial Vehicle Manager at Swinton said: "Van drivers who are self-employed or run small businesses are likely to be hit hard by the VAT increase as they'll need to pass these costs onto their customers, unlike big organisations, which can absorb these additional costs. Potential customers may decide to put off spending once the rise kicks in January 2011, which could cause a knock-on effect on trade levels. They will however benefit from the small companies tax rate cut which will be lowered to 20% from April 2011 onwards." "The other good news for self-employed van drivers is that no additional increase in fuel duty was announced at the emergency budget, although the increase in the VAT rate will mean petrol prices will rise from January regardless." About Swinton: -- Swinton Commercial is the dedicated commercial insurance division of the Swinton Group -- Swinton Commercial was awarded Commercial Lines Broker of the Year 2008 and is a finalist at the British Insurer Awards 2009 -- With 580 branches nationwide Swinton is the UK's largest high street insurance retailer -- Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the community -- Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike and even classic car insurance -- With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates

Source: Insurance News Net (press release)