What you need to do is play the beareaucracy game - it works sometimes. First you send in a cheque, but omit to put the correct date on - dating it 6 months hence is a good idea. If it's returned, send another cheque, with a profuse letter of apology, but omit to sign it. If that fails, they aren't going to let go, so send your payment and smile. There is a good chance that the dud cheques will get lost in the system. Keep copies of your letters and cheques, and if they query, feign ignorance. I once got a ticket for having no tax, and while I was parked on double yellows for the eight minutes it took to buy my disc, I got another ticket for being on the yellows! I finished up paying the original fine, but using the above method, I did slide out of paying the second fine.