Council wants £397 for hitting a bollard

jimmyjim_uk

Hi all,

I was in a car accident back in august 2002. In the process of writing my car off I hit a keep left illuminated bollard (a white and yellow plastic one).

I got a letter from Birmingham City Council's Legal & Democratic Services yesterday threatening legal action if I don't contact them in 7 days to pay the £397.

I have moved house four times since the accident and it has taken all that time for them to contact me.

I haven't a clue who my insurance company was at the time as I have binned all my paperwork from back then.

Does anyone know if I can appeal about the amount? The cost breakdown that came with the letter says the bollard only cost £69, the rest was for fees and admin charges.

I don't mind paying for the damage as it was my fault. Just don't want to pay £397 for a £69 bollard.

Any advice much appreciated.

anewman

Send them a cheque for £69 with a letter thanking them for getting in touch and letting you know how much the bollard cost etc etc, and that you are more than happy to pay the full amount of £69 for the bollard... Then see what happens maybe.

If they're stupid enough to spend money on legal costs when all they need is you to pay for the bollard that's their fault not yours although I cannot say this approach will put you in the clear and lead to no court action.

jimmyjim_uk

I thought about just that sending them the £69. Don't think it will make them go away.

Here's the breakdown:

Emergency Call Out £108

Reinstate Furniture Illuminated Keep Left Bollard £69

Site Visit/Technical Fees £125

Claims Administration Charge £95

Total £397

scbk

In fairness it doesn't seem THAT bad, baring in mind how much a plumber (one man in a van) would charge for coming out to fix a leak etc

in2deep_2

I think as mentiond you could just offer to pay for the 'parts' (£69)

As for emergancy call out....thats a laugh how many times have you seen bollards broken for weeks with out being fixed.

anewman

Oh no, a keep left bollard has been crashed into - drivers will have to realise to keep left and not cross the path of oncoming traffic, we have to send out an emergency team

Keith

anewman wrote: »

Oh no, a keep left bollard has been crashed into - drivers will have to realise to keep left and not cross the path of oncoming traffic, we have to send out an emergency team

It could be to put one of those emergency bollards over a broken light thing so children don't touch the wires

I doubt you can avoid any of these charges after all you did damage the street furniture, to be fair, why should you as we all contribute to the cost of installing it.

jammin_2

Out of interest, have you contacted them since August 2002?

Tucker

Jammin...........I sense the Limitations Act in that question...............?

jammin_2

Tucker wrote: »

Jammin...........I sense the Limitations Act in that question...............?

Spot on!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

6 years - they're leaving it too long. I know interest can be claimed on debts up to 6 years, IIRC there is something in law about debts expiring after 6 years if no contact or payment has been made?