Ok here is my represenation Draft please let me know what you think?
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally make representations regarding the penalty charge notices (PCNs) I received for driving into the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) entering Heathrow Airport on the 7th and 8th of January 2025. While I fully accept responsibility for the first PCN (dated 20th December 2024) and have already paid it, I kindly request leniency and consideration for the subsequent PCNs for the reasons outlined below.
1. Unawareness of Heathrow's Inclusion in the ULEZ Zone
While I was aware of the ULEZ expansion, I was not aware that it now extended to Heathrow Airport. My family and I have not lived in London for several years, and this change in the ULEZ boundary caught me completely off guard.
2. Circumstances of the Offense
- On the 20th of December, while staying in Henley-on-Thames, I drove to Heathrow Airport to drop off a family member. This was the first occasion I entered the ULEZ zone unknowingly.
- On the 7th and 8th of January, I drove into Heathrow Airport again under similar circumstances, unaware that the ULEZ charge applied to this area.
- My family returned home to Lancashire on the 13th of January, whereupon I discovered the first PCN in the mail.
3. Immediate Action Taken Upon Discovery
As soon as I opened the PCN issued for my journey on the 20th of December, I contacted Transport for London (TfL) on the 13th of January to attempt to retroactively pay for the ULEZ charges for my entries on the 7th and 8th of January. However, I was informed that payment was no longer possible at that stage, and that I would need to wait for the PCNs.
4. Mitigating Circumstances:
The timing of the PCNs is significant: had I received the first PCN (dated 1st January 2025) earlier, I would have been immediately aware of my error and avoided repeating it on the 7th and 8th of January. It would be unreasonable to suggest that I knowingly entered the ULEZ on these later dates with the intent to avoid payment, as there would have been no benefit for me to do so, as I would have anticipated receiving additional penalties.
5. Signage and Lack of Awareness
Although I was informed by TfL during the phone call on the 13th that ULEZ signage is clearly marked, I honestly did not notice these signs on any of the occasions I entered Heathrow Airport. Additionally, although anecdotal, upon speaking to friends and acquaintances in Henley who use Heathrow Airport frequently, it became apparent that many others were also unaware of this recent update.
6. Additional Financial Burden and Frustration:
My visits to Heathrow on the 7th and 8th of January were necessitated by an error by Virgin Airlines, which had sent my family member’s luggage to the wrong terminal. Resolving this issue required two separate trips, which already resulted in significant inconvenience and expenses, including hefty parking charges. The additional PCNs compound this situation, leaving me with a sense of undue financial burden.
7. Request for Leniency
Given the circumstances, including the fact that:
- I live across the country and was not aware of the ULEZ change impacting Heathrow Airport,
- I was away from home and unable to receive the first PCN in time to adjust my behavior,
- I immediately tried to take corrective action upon learning of my mistake,
In light of the above, I respectfully request leniency and the cancellation of the PCNs for the 7th and 8th of January 2025. These entries into the ULEZ were made in genuine ignorance of the expanded zone’s boundaries, compounded by the delayed notification of my initial violation.
