Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all,

I’d be grateful for some advice regarding the following PCN issued by the City of London.

PCN Number: CL02972181
Vehicle Registration: LS63UCP
Contravention Code: 52M
Contravention Description: Failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle (motor vehicles)
Date/Time of Contravention: 29/04/2025 at 16:22
Location: Chancery Lane (location code LW2426)
Case Status: Open

I checked the PCN on the City of London’s online portal, but there was no mapping data available.

From the evidence the council submitted, I can't clearly see what the street sign says. I also checked Google Maps but was unable to locate the exact signage on Chancery Lane. I would appreciate help in understanding:

Whether the PCN is valid in this situation

Whether the signage is adequate and lawful

Any procedural or evidential flaws that might apply

What the next steps should be

I have not contacted the council and will wait for your guidance before taking any action.

There is also a video on the City of London website showing the alleged contravention, but I don’t know how to download it.

All the photos provided by the council, along with the PCN I received by post, can be viewed here:
https://imgur.com/a/ybG1R0p

Thanks very much for your help.

Thank you for your response.

After investigating on Google Maps, I was able to identify the exact location of the sign on Chancery Lane. It appears to be placed approximately 10–15 metres down from the junction with Carey Street (see image link below for reference).

From that point onwards, Chancery Lane leads directly to the A40, where I turned left. The only possible turn-off before reaching the restriction was a right turn into Southampton Buildings, which is a dead-end in google street view and clearly marked with a “No Entry” sign. Maybe it’s different today? All other side streets along that stretch appear to be closed to vehicle traffic.

Placing the restriction sign several metres into Chancery Lane, without any advance warning at the junction with Carey Street, seems problematic. Once a vehicle has turned into Chancery Lane, it is effectively committed to continuing forward. Expecting drivers to reverse back into traffic is both unrealistic and unsafe.

Surely, for the signage to be adequate and meet the requirements under Regulation 18 of The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996, there ought to have been clear and visible advance warning at the Carey Street junction. This would have allowed me a fair opportunity to avoid entering Chancery Lane altogether.

Images: https://imgur.com/a/0u8FxWl

Hi all!

As Incandescent suggested, I visited the site and have attached some photos of the street for your reference.

On 13/06/2025, I received a Charge Certificate giving me 14 days to respond. This is also attached for your review. Today is the last day.

That being said, upon inspecting the location of the alleged contravention, I found that the Google Street View is not up to date, as you suspected. The "flying motorbike" sign is located in front of the Knights Templar, several meters after the junction with Carey Street. In my view this sign should be positioned right at the corner, not 5 meters down the road, to give drivers the necessary warning to turn left immediately into Carey Street.

Moreover, as Incandescnet noted there is only one sign, positioned on one side of the road. I too believe there should be at least one sign on each side to provide adequate visibility and warning to drivers.

By contrast, when approaching from Carey Street, the "flying motorbike" sign is directly ahead—although partially obscured by the "Controlled Zone" and "Turn Left" signs.

However, when approaching from Chancery Lane, the signage in my view is insufficient and unclear. One sign is partially covered and not facing motorists coming from chancery lane, and the other is positioned too far down the road to offer meaningful warning. In my opinion, there should be at least four signs - i.e. two at the Chancery Lane approach and two from Carey Street.

It’s also worth noting that:

The sign coming from chancery lane appears to be slanted, as shown in my photos.

Further down the road, another sign is completely turned the wrong way and appears to be improperly secured.

Altogether, this junction gives the impression of being designed more for revenue generation than effective traffic management.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this and advice on how to proceed.

pictures: https://imgur.com/a/Ph6dbiA

Got confused and could not go to the location as I was abroad.. so I can only make payment at this point?