Free Traffic Legal Advice

PCN BT26713822  Mount Rd/ Dollis Hill Ave

PCN BT26716795  Edgeware Road / Dollis Hill Ave
 

VRN P40 GBD

re: Dollis Hill Rd/ Edgeware Rd/ Mount Ave Junctions


Slight issue and would really appreciate any help. These PCNs aren’t mine - I’m helping an elderly gentleman.

Toby received two 53J PCNs, but there are several issues (outlined below). According to the late stage final letters , he only has a day or so left to respond, despite them being received just three days ago.

Is it possible they were backdated when sent, or delayed in the post? It took around 10 days to reach Toby. Also, no Notice to Owner was received at all.

Ideally, we’d like to avoid paying either PCN, but failing that, the best outcome would be to have one cancelled and pay the other just to get this resolved and off Toby’s back.


Toby, a Blue Badge holder, drove along restricted school roads in Brent on 26/09/25.

The PCN dated 01/10/25 was received while he was away (01/10/25–31/10/25), causing him to miss the payment deadlines.

PCN Front 795: https://ibb.co/wNY1QKYK
Back 795: https://ibb.co/9H88cFTt

PCN Front 822: https://ibb.co/QFyz4yFX
Back 822: https://ibb.co/6cMxWrtf



A Charge Certificate dated 04/11/25 followed.

Front 822: https://ibb.co/qYg4mPSp
Back 822: https://ibb.co/XxYq48Gg

Front 795: https://ibb.co/LmTKsdD
Back 795: https://ibb.co/q3pTSGK9



Toby submitted an explanation via the online portal, including proof that he was abroad at the time, and received an automated acknowledgement on 11/11/25.

Screenshot of the message below. While part of the text is cut off, it states that the two fines were issued in close succession.

https://ibb.co/4RcQXDdC
https://ibb.co/67nhb1Cr


No further contact was made for 88 days, until the below arrived on 07/02/26, (dated 29/01/26 - a whole ten days earlier) It reoffered the discount for both PCN's (£80 to pay) but does not allow to make reps. That's unfair, no? I assumed the process would start again.

Front 822: https://ibb.co/sp6W61m0
Back: https://ibb.co/Zz3yTCCb

Front 795: https://ibb.co/PL4Q5tB
Back: https://ibb.co/LzHwJ2wf


Please advise as to next steps please - at a loss here. Time is very short and the last thing Toby needs is the bailiffs knocking on his door and having to pay the full whack and more. Thanking in advance.

Quote

It reoffered the discount for both PCN's (£80 to pay) but does not allow to make reps. That's unfair, no? I assumed the process would start again.

No, it's not unfair, the process is that one gets 28 days to respond to a postal PCN, after which, whilst late representations can be submitted, the council are under no legal obligation to accept them. Here, the Charge Certificates have been served, which only allow payment not appeals. It seems the council have given way in re-offering the discount (£80).  You could try registering an appeal at London Tribunals, but this means the full PCN penalties will be in play (£160 x 2 = £320), and looking at the details of the PCNs, whilst the point about the height of the signs is valid, it is not guaranteed that an adjudicator will agree they are not adequate to convey the restriction to motorists. London Tribunals may also not accept a late request to appeal.

I think your friend has got the best option, which is to pay the £80 x 2 = £160 offered by Brent.

Thanks for that, appreciate the advice and will relay it to him- by asking if it was 'unfair', I meant - that, the 28days were over by the time he returned home from abroad (pcn also received in his absence). Brent Council were sent porof - but I guess what he really hoped was they would let him off just the one pcn - no idea if they're lenient like that.. was hoping to appeal to their better nature perhaps considering no NTO was received either?

As for risking going further and the possibility/ risk of paying full whack - that would finish him off!! Anxiety/ income issues

Gah! yeah, I understand.. it's so frustrating though how the councils are so quick to move the goalposts.. if Toby had not returned back home when he did - he'd have been well and truly up the creek without a paddle! Alas, 'discount' reoffered so mustn't complain'    lol