Free Traffic Legal Advice

The Council will probably argue that the road has been raised to assist pedestrians/wheelchairs crossing the road.

Looking at Google, cars have been parking there (on both sides of the road) since at least 2008, so you may have an argument of 'legitimate expectation'.

What are the PCN number and car VRM.

We've seen such cases where councils think an entire raised road table at a junction is an enforcement area for a pedestrian crossing but this is not on in my view. The kerbside where you would normally find a crossing at the corners yes and they are sometimes marked with tactile paving, and here the corners have posts that I reckon demarcate crossing points.

Hi, thank you for your responses. Apologies for delay getting back to you. I had a surprise visit yesterday and couldn't check the messages. I am amazed to see you have pictures of my actual car with a ticket on. I daren't ask how you did that! I've just had a look at what an AI said about a code 28 and it said that some cases maybe allowed in some circumstances but went on to say: "Even in these cases, a 1.5-metre pedestrian gap must be maintained on the footway, and the vehicle must not block dropped kerbs or crossings."

Do you think I could argue that there is 1.5 metre's between the nearest bollard and my car and stress the road is very wide road and therefore was not an obstruction? Should I also mention that the pavement is no longer red as it is in Google images so it's not easy to see it's a special case? You are allowed to park on speed bumps I think?

I'm not quite sure how to even start this letter to them, but it seems I was parked as exactly the same place as the @AshNaz87 post you shared, just facing the opposite direction. It looks 1.5 metres roughly from the bollard.



If I were to add the 'legitimate expectation' argument that @JohnU.K mentioned, how would I know that if I hadn't googled it? Not quite sure how to frame that.

Finally, I am a mobile podiatrist and am seeing a very elderly patient who is also being seen by a district nurse as they have specific and severe problems due to bilateral wounds. I am their private practitioner but am an important part of their urgent healthcare: An AI said I could appeal on those grounds too, namely:

AI said

Yes, podiatrists can appeal a parking ticket (Penalty Charge Notice or PCN) received during home visits, but success depends on the specific circumstances and evidence provided.
While there is no automatic exemption under Code 28 for podiatrists, councils may accept appeals based on mitigating circumstances, especially if the stop was for a legitimate medical home visit.

Key Points for Appeal:

Medical Purpose: Clearly state that the stop was for an NHS or private home visit providing essential foot care, particularly for vulnerable patients (e.g., diabetic, elderly, or immobile).
Supporting Evidence: Include documentation such as:
A letter from the patient confirming the appointment
Patient notes (with confidentiality respected)
NHS referral form or care plan
Proof of HCPC registration and professional ID
Emergency or Urgency: If applicable, highlight urgent clinical need (e.g., infected wound, risk of amputation), though this is not equivalent to a life-threatening emergency.
Appeal Process:
Informal Challenge: Submit within 14–28 days of the PCN. Many councils cancel tickets if reasonable justification is given.
Formal Representation: If the first appeal is rejected.
Independent Appeal (POPLA or London Tribunals): Final stage, free to use and often favorable to healthcare professionals with strong evidence.
Some councils have shown leniency for healthcare providers making home visits, even without formal exemptions.

Grateful for any further advice. TY

Ok @stamfordman Just getting worried that if I need to gather evidence I have to start doing that soon. I wouldn't have used AI to write the actual letter, I just wanted to get some ideas. Very much the appreciate and prefer expert advice here. TIA have a good day.

Thank you. Sorry I missed this reply, I hadn't refreshed the page. If you do find anything useful I'd be very happy to use it. Really need to start thinking about starting to write the letter, bit stressed about it. Many thanks.

The council is very, very unlikely to cancel at this (the informal reps) stage, so I suggest you focus on submitting something before 25th(the end of the risk-free reps period - see back of PCN).

The carriageway is raised to meet the footway, signs aren't required to bring the 24/7 statutory prohibition to a motorist's attention-you're presumed to know- and it could be argued that it facilitates pedestrians crossing the road, see below. But it's a large area which without further modifications to the footway to assist and guide pedestrians such as tactile paving simply encourages jay-walking and random pedestrian access to the carriageway which is hardly safe and surely isn't the council's intention.

I accept I was parked on the raised portion but I dispute that this was at a point where a ' footway, cycle track or verge has been [raised] to meet the level of the carriageway for the purpose of—

(i)assisting pedestrians crossing the carriageway,

What else have you got?

And, are you the registered keeper with current DVLA details as at 12 March?