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Silverstone: British Grand Prix venue to pay residents' parking fines

Supplied Traffic in Silverstone village during the Grand Prix weekendSupplied
A temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) was issued for last month's Grand Prix following an application by Silverstone Circuit

Silverstone Circuit will pay £1,500-worth of fixed penalty notices issued to villagers who were fined for parking outside their own homes.

Residents of neighbouring Silverstone village fell foul of a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) issued for last month's British Grand Prix.

A total of 33 fines were issued to locals during the Formula 1 event.

The Northamptonshire track said it would refund the fines as a "goodwill gesture".

A record-breaking 480,000 people attended this year's British Grand Prix weekend, with some 160,000 fans at the circuit on Sunday's race day alone.

David Goddard/Getty Aerial photo of the Silverstone F1 circuitDavid Goddard/Getty
A record 480,000 people attended this year's British Grand Prix weekend

The circuit applied for a TTRO in an attempt to help alleviate the pressure on surrounding villages such as Silverstone and Whittlebury, which are close to the track and its many camp sites.

However, an apparent miscommunication saw residents with passes fined by traffic wardens.

Resident Mel Dennision, who has lived in the village for 60 years, told BBC Radio Northampton: "We've never had this issue before. We've never been demanded to move our cars."

James Grant/BBC Mel DennisonJames Grant/BBC
Mel Dennision has lived in Silverstone for 60 years and said parking had never been an issue for residents in previous years

Mrs Dennison, who has multiple sclerosis, said she was told there were no exemptions for drivers with blue badges.

"I've always left my car there with my residents' pass and blue badge and never been asked to move it before. Never."

James Grant/BBC Louise FlemingJames Grant/BBC
Louise Fleming said there was traffic "chaos" in the village this year

Louise Fleming, who works at the White Horse pub in the village, said this year's traffic from the event was "chaos" and "the worst she's ever seen".

Stuart Pringle, the managing director of Silverstone Circuit, said: "Following criticism from local residents of lack of parking enforcement over the F1 weekend in 2021 and 2022, we worked hard with the appropriate bodies to ensure that those who ignore the parking restrictions that are put in place to enable the safe running of our event and the safe enjoyment of the villages, were penalised.

"We communicated these local and temporary enforcements in good time and in good faith, but they were always intended to deter and punish our customers and not local residents."

In a statement, Silverstone Circuit said: "The penalty notices that have been received are being processed, with refunds to be issued five days from the information being received."

The BBC understands that residents have started to receive their refunds for the fines.

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