Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all.  A couple of weeks ago the driver of my car went through the Blackwall Tunnel.  They had also driven through the Silvertown Tunnel earlier in the day.  They tried to make payment after the first part of the journey but couldn't - they wanted to pay for both journeys at that point.  This is a screenshot of what they got when they tried to pay - they tried several times:



This has now recently come in the post.  Interestingly it's only for the return leg.  They didn't think of trying to pay again later on so no idea if payment could have been paid then.  Rookie error.



What advice would you give please?

Thanks.

Hi thanks for your reply.  I don't know how to edit my previous post so here is the PCN again.  Thanks.

To be clear, the contravention alleged occurred at 20.15 and is in respect of a journey for which payment was required but where no attempt to pay was made. Yes?

This is what you describe as the driver's 'rookie mistake' i.e. hoping that the technical issue which was apparent at 16.11 was still in effect and would excuse not paying?

I would get a representation submitted on TFL's website before close of business today, Thursday the 11th. Today being the expiry of the discount window that's stated on the PCN.

If you challenge within the discount window then TFL normally re-offer the discount if they reject. So you might as well have a go.

The Blackwall Tunnel has been free of charge for maybe a 100 years. The charge was only introduced when the Silvertown Tunnel was opened on the 7th April. We've had a number of cases on here where PCNs have been cancelled for a first offence.

So tell them you're terribly sorry, however you did try and pay but the system errored out. Ask them to use their discretion and cancel the PCN. Enclose a copy of your error message. See what comes back.