Free Traffic Legal Advice

Redbridge has put in a lot of permit parking areas - these have entry and repeater signs but do not require kerbsides to be marked with permit bays - exceptions to permits are signed bays (eg pay pays). 

So check what route you took and whether the PPA is of a reasonable size - they should only be used in single or a few streets in one PPA.

I have driven round and this is a map of the permit parking area where each red line indicates an entrance point with two signs, one on either side of the road.


One of the two signs at the top of Wellington road is currently at 90 degrees, so facing down the footpath.

I came down the road where the sign is twisted round, went round the mini roundabout and parked up.

I've parked there before without any issues, not sure when the last time was though and I don't know when they brought these restrictions in.

Thanks very much,

Based on the information you've shared, there seem to be several possible grounds for appealing based on the permit parking set up itself, as well as an example where the left hand twisted sign has been used successfully to appeal a PCN.

How would you recommend is best to take this forwards?

I turned left into Wellington road from the high street, passed the twisted sign at the end of the road (although didn't see any signs at the time). I drove down that part of Wellington road then went across the mini roundabout onto latter part of Wellington road (which has no signs at either end of that section) and parked up.

On that basis, how would you recommend is best to take this forwards?

If you haven't already, now submit representations based on what you have told us about the signage. Of course they will reject them, but may shoot themselves in the foot in their reply. It is usual for them to re-offer the discount, provided the reps are received within the discount period, and may even re-offer it if outside it too, but that is less certain.

Thanks very much,

Here is my proposed appeal:

The signage at the entrance to Wellington Road from the High Street was not readily visible at the time of the alleged contravention. The sign on the left-hand side of the carriageway has been turned through approximately 90 degrees, rendering it effectively invisible to drivers entering the road from this direction.

Furthermore, Wellington Road is divided by a mini roundabout into two distinct sections. The section where my vehicle was parked has no signage at either entry point indicating parking restrictions. Having missed the obscured entry sign due to its condition, and finding no further signage upon entering the second section of the road, I reasonably concluded that this area was unrestricted.

I took care to observe the visible parking restrictions on the road, noting areas marked with double yellow lines and single yellow lines with accompanying signage. I deliberately parked in a section with no road markings and no visible signage indicating any restriction. In the absence of road markings or visible signage, it was reasonable to conclude that this section of the street was unrestricted.

The permit parking area in question does not conform to the Department for Transport's Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 3, which provides guidance on the appropriate use of permit parking areas designated by entry signs alone (without bay markings).

Paragraph 13.10.2 of the guidance states that this type of signing is suitable for "a cul-de-sac or a small network of roads with little or no through traffic" and warns that "otherwise the lack of road markings might tempt drivers unfamiliar with the area to park." Wellington Road is a through road with a mini roundabout, not a cul-de-sac or small enclosed network.

The guidance further notes that where a permit parking area "comprises a through road or is used for access to other roads not included in the area," specific amended wording should be used on signage. The current arrangement covers a large zone of multiple roads with unclear boundaries, making it difficult for drivers unfamiliar with the area to identify which streets are included in the restriction.

Even had the entry signage been visible, the application of this signing method to such a large and complex area is inconsistent with the official guidance, which anticipates its use only where drivers can reasonably be expected to understand the extent of the restricted area.

Attached Evidence:

Photograph showing vehicle parked outside the single yellow line restricted area


Photograph showing vehicle parked outside the double yellow line area


Photograph showing distance between vehicle and the single yellow line restriction


Photograph of entry sign at Wellington Road/High Street junction, showing sign rotated 90 degrees


Map of the permit parking zone


Department for Transport Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 3 extract (Section 13.10 – Permit Parking Areas)