PCN - 32 d Failing to proceed in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign

Hi all,

I have received a PCN - 32 d Failing to proceed in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign.

It was at a busy four way junction in south east London (with a yellow junction box, although that is not relevant). I assumed I was "guilty as charged" however, having googled it, the AI has come back and said I can challenge it for the following reasons:

1) The PCN only states the location as the road I turned left from It says that the PCN should specify the three roads leading into the junction and the main road should be the one I turned into - which created the offence - not the one out of which I turned (ie the one stated on the PCN).

2) The PCN evidence portal only shows four still images. However Google AI states they should have also posted a video and that without this the PCN becomes invalid.

3) Although the PCN arrived within the 14-day period, it only arrive with two days to spare and google says this is "Procedural Defect" as it severely truncated the time available to me to research my defence.

Do you think this is a strong enough case to appeal and what are the prospects of winning - any similar case studies would be appreciated.

​​​​​​​Many thanks in advance!

Well your AI response is wrong on all points ! However you have not posted the PCN yet, which is a key document that we must see

1) The PCN only states the location as the road I turned left from It says that the PCN should specify the three roads leading into the junction and the main road should be the one I turned into - which created the offence - not the one out of which I turned (ie the one stated on the PCN).

Wrong. All that is needed is sufficient location information to inform the PCN recipient where the alleged contravention occurred

2) The PCN evidence portal only shows four still images. However Google AI states they should have also posted a video and that without this the PCN becomes invalid.
Wrong. There is no legal requirement to advise of a video. However there will be a video that can normally be viewed on the council website by quoting PCN Number and vehicle registration. The PCN will tell you.The exception is Transport for London who only supply DVDs on request.

3) Although the PCN arrived within the 14-day period, it only arrive with two days to spare and google says this is "Procedural Defect" as it severely truncated the time available to me to research my defence.
Wrong. The law is that the PCN must be posted by 1st Class post on the day it is printed, and must be sent within 28 days from date of alleged contravention.  Post delays are not the responsibility of the enforcing authority, but as I said, we have yet to see the PCN, and the legislation under which it was served.

So, PCN please and your narrative on why it was served. ALso a GSV link to the location is extremely helpful.

Hi again,

So attached is the redacted PCN.

I was driving along Central Hill towards the junction with Gypsy Hill (SE London). The traffic light before and the other side of the jct has a white forward arrow on a blue circle attached. I turned left however, and this is why they have issued the 32 d.

The GSV link is:
[img width=566

The PCN is dated 17th August, today's date is the 19th August. You therefore have 12 days left of the discount period. All the periods are based on PCN date, not contravention date.

Here is your approach to the junction. As you can see there is a mandatory direction arrow on the signal head, plus the green aspect shows 'Ahead only'.


Wait for others to comment, but I can't see any robust argument against the PCN for the contravention, but there maybe 'technical' appeals possible based on the PCN content and their webpages.