MOTORISTS who have consistently refused to pay parking fines are being warned to expect a visit from the bailiffs.

Durham County Council says it has no intention of writing off the debts of 200 car owners who broke parking rules in Durham City.

Drivers who do not pay up can expect a visit from the bailiffs next week.

All those involved have been through the full appeal process but refused to settle their charges. They have each been sent a warning letter.

Coun Neil Foster, Durham County Council cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "This is a debt against the county council which, if we don’t recover it, will have to be added to our residents’ council tax bills.

"Potentially, not collecting these outstanding charges could cost the council £80,000 a year.

"We would have to find this money either through council tax payments or by withdrawing financial support for important schemes like shopmobility, which currently receives £30,000 a year from the parking charges revenue budget."

Adrian White, the council’s head of transport, said: "When you receive a parking penalty charge there are clear benefits to paying quickly and clearly defined pathways for you to appeal if you feel it has been unfair.

"We always listen to appeals carefully and there are many circumstances in which the charge is waived.

"However, it would be quite wrong for us not to collect outstanding charges.

"Equally, even at the stage when the bailiffs are called in they will work out an affordable payment plan with people. It is certainly not the case that bailiffs sweep in and seize goods except as an absolute last resort."

The council took over responsibility for illegal parking in disabled spaces, loading bays and on yellow lines in Durham from the police last November.

In July, it emerged the council could have to pay back thousands in fines after lecturer Margaret Bond successfully challenged an £80 ticket issued in Fowler’s Yard, Durham.

For more information about parking penalty charges, call Durham County Council’s parking services section on 0191-383-5551, call in at the parking office at 56 North Road, Durham, or visit durham.gov.uk/CPE