A WOMAN wrongly fined nine times for allegedly dodging the London congestion charge has slammed plans to introduce the scheme across the country.
Alison Chedgzoy is seeking compensation for the stress and worry of having to deal with the penalty notices which have been arriving at her Bromyard home since February.
Mrs Chedgzoy says she was stunned when she received the first fine accusing her of travelling through London without paying the toll - because she hasn't been to the capital for 15 years.
And she is angry that the Government is hailing London Mayor Ken Livingstone's congestion charge scheme such a success, they are planning to introduce it on roads and motorways across the country.
"They should concentrate on getting the scheme right in London before taking it elsewhere," said Mrs Chedgzoy.
"I couldn't believe it when the fine notices kept coming. It got to the point where I would have owed more than £1,000 in fines and have had nine county court judgements against me."
After receiving five penalty notices, Mrs Chedgzoy received a letter of apology from Transport for London, saying the letters were sent after a processing error.
However, since then, she has received another four penalty notices.
"Although they've all been cancelled, it's not really good enough," said Mrs Chedgzoy, who works as a medical secretary at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
"If they can make that kind of mistake with me, how many other people would be affected by errors if they introduce the scheme elsewhere? It's not on."
Transport secretary Alistair Darling, is set to announce proposals to introduce the congestion tariffs at a roads seminar in London tomorrow.
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