Hi.
I've received an increase charge certificate from Tower Hamlets council. I never received the PCN, so naturally feel very upset at being extorted in this way. The letter is dated 19th Dec, giving me till NY day to pay. Do I have any options? I've seen that TH council is online only and provides no way to contact them to actually talk to anyone.
The letter received starts:
On 03/11/2024 at 13:27:44 vehicle was seen in Brick Lane ( Hanbury to Quaker) and a
Penalty Charge Notice was issued for the following alleged contravention: 53 - Faling to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone.
A Penalty Charge Notice was sent to you on 08/11/2024 explaining that as you are the person we believe to be the
owner or hirer of the vehicle you had 28 days to make representations or payment.
This Charge Certificate has been served since the penalty charge has not been paid within the appropriate period and
one of the following applies:
1. No representations were made in response to the Notice to Owner.
2. We issued a Notice of Rejection of Representations and we have not been informed of an appeal having been
made to the Adjudicator.
3. An appeal was made to the Adjudicator but was either rejected or withdrawn.
4. We issued a Notice of Rejection of Adjudicator's Recommendation.
As the Penalty Charge has not been paid and no representations have been received, the charge has now increased
by 50% to 195.00 and payment of the increase charge is now due. Accordingly you should now pay the outstanding
amount of 195.00 before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date 0F service of this Charge Certificate.
I hold my hand up to the offence: signage was not clear, and the roads were very busy and crowded on the day, so may well be in the wrong - however, the PCN was not received at the registered address. Seems convenient that the PCN was not recieved or responded to, but this letter arrived fine? Don't mean to sound too cynical.
Any advice appreciated. Given that everything will be shutting down as of today, not sure if I have much time to do anything than pay?
TIA.
