Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all,

I’m seeking some advice regarding a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) I recently received for an alleged traffic contravention, specifically, entering a pedestrian zone during restricted hours.
The restrictions for the zone are as follows:
Monday to Friday:
8:00 – 9:00 AM


2:45 – 3:45 PM


The PCN states that my vehicle entered the zone on 01/07/2025 at 08:34 AM.
On that day, I was dropping my daughter off at Finchley Memorial Hospital for her work experience. I relied on Google Maps for navigation, as I was unfamiliar with the area and wanted to ensure she arrived on time. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the local restrictions.
After receiving the PCN, I revisited the route and location and now believe I may have grounds to appeal due to inadequate signage. My reasons are as follows (in no particular order):
The font size on the restriction signs is too small to be clearly legible while driving.


The positioning and angle of the sign when turning right makes it easy to miss and difficult to read.


The sign appears to be damaged, split vertically in the middle which further impacts visibility and legibility.


The sign on the opposite side, near the corner, is fully obscured by tree foliage and easily missed.


Another sign on the approach road is similarly obscured by a tree and lacks sufficient prominence.


These observations are supported by both the photos included in the PCN and additional photographs I took when revisiting the location after receiving the notice.
Additionally, as I was unaware of the restriction at the time, I’ve now seen on the online portal that further PCNs may have been issued for the same contravention on subsequent days although I have not yet received the physical notices.
From what I’ve read in other posts, it appears that it may be possible to request the cancellation of any subsequent PCNs by referencing the initial one, particularly if they relate to the same ongoing issue and were incurred before I was made aware of the restriction.
I would appreciate any guidance on whether these points form a reasonable basis for an appeal, and if so, how best to frame my response.

Many thanks in advance for your help.



PCN - https://imgur.com/a/deA7Jvr
PCN Images - https://imgur.com/a/deA7Jvr
Google maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mof2KX7aU7GrLseJ8

Photo turning right - https://imgur.com/a/deA7Jvr

Dear Incandescent,

Thank you for your reply, and greatly appreciated.

While I did rely on Google Maps for navigation, I fully acknowledge that it is the driver's responsibility to observe and comply with all road rules, and I do not dispute this.

Regarding your point: "The problem is that there is an advance sign on the street you approached to make the right-hand turn into the restricted street."

On my approach, this sign was obscured by a tree, as shown in the image I’ve attached. In my opinion, the sign’s small size and low visibility made it easy to miss, and I did not have adequate time to notice, read, and process the information it displayed.

Best regards,

OK, you say that tree obscured the sign, but once you get to this tree this is what you see: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pj7iD6fV86vtrsZw5

Remember it is 20mph here, so an adjudicator may well decide that the tree is sufficiently far away not to obscure the sign. It is an adjudicator at London Tribunals you must convince because the council are extremely unlikely to accept your representations. Going to LT means the full PCN penalty is in play, so you must have a solid case. At the moment, I don't think this is the case, but see what the others may say. However, don't wait so long that you miss the deadline for paying or appealing or it's game over.

I am fighting 29 PCN for a resident of this road. I hope to have a decision next week. Barnet don't care how many pcn you have, they want them all paid. Just do nothing for now, we have time.