This case on Monday - someone without a permit in a permit bay while charging - and a no permit PCN was correctly given. It makes no sense to issue a no-charging PCN in my view.
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Case reference 2250376541
Appellant xxxxxx
Authority London Borough of Lambeth
VRM CF220DP
PCN Details
PCN LJ33884406
Contravention date 16 Mar 2025
Contravention time 08:33:00
Contravention location Moorland Road
Penalty amount GBP 130.00
Contravention Parked resident/shared use without a valid permit
Referral date -
Decision Date 24 Nov 2025
Adjudicator Martin Hoare
Appeal decision Appeal refused
Direction Full penalty charge notice amount stated to be paid within 28 days.
Reasons
Ms Gorning attended this video appeal hearing. The Authority did not attend.
Ms Gorning submitted that the penalty charge ‘is extremely unfair given the growing push for greener transportation and the barriers now being placed on electric vehicle (EV) users. The road in question previously allowed open access to the EV charging bay without the need for a permit, but this has now changed - with little notice or consideration for local EV drivers.
I live less than a one-minute walk away from this charging bay, yet I am not eligible for a resident parking permit because I live on an estate, not directly on the road itself. This leaves me in a Catch-22 situation: I am doing my part to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Lambeth by driving an electric car, but I am effectively blocked from charging it anywhere nearby without risking a penalty. The charging bay itself is hardly ever used and sits empty most of the time, meaning the new restrictions are not even improving access or turnover - they are simply punitive for people like me. Other charging bays across Brixton are also permit-only during most hours and are often free because no one is able to use them.
The next closest unit available to me is on Pulross Road, a 20-minute walk away. This is impractical and unsafe, especially late in the evening when most EV owners would look to charge overnight so their vehicle is ready for work the next day. To make matters worse, even if I were willing to walk the distance, I am only allowed to charge between 7am and 10pm, giving me a very limited window to access power - often when bays are already full.’
The civil enforcement officer’s notes and photographs establish that this vehicle was parked in this adequately signed permit holder's only electric vehicle charging bay The vehicle was charging. The vehicle did not display the necessary permit.
The sign stated -Electric vehicle recharging point only. The upright sign contains the “P” symbol and the electric vehicle. The prescribed legend is “Electric vehicle recharging point only”. Permit holders only (description of permit types). Maximum stay 24 hours, no return in 24 hours. You must be actively charging to park in this bay.
There may be mitigating circumstances that do make the rigorous application of the law inappropriate. The law however does not give me as an adjudicator authority to cancel a PCN on the ground of mitigation alone.
The appeal is refused.
