Free Traffic Legal Advice

Very annoyed about this, apparently there are now pedestrian-only zones all over Ealing that apply around the beginning and end of the school day for anyone without a residents' permit (first I've heard of this as I don't usually drive).

That's a fine idea in theory but the signing is atrocious (they managed to find enough cash to put up the cameras but somehow not enough to put some paint on the road or a normal sign).

It seemed ridiculous as if they'd signposted it appropriately I WOULDN'T HAVE DRIVEN THE BLOODY RENTAL VAN DOWN IT (said in a Michael Cane style) so I started looking into it and it seems to fall well short of the required size.

Full manual:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c78f895e5274a0ebfec719b/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-03.pdf

General guidance for upright signs (must be clearly visible for 60m for traffic at 30mph):



Guidance for this particular sign (must be min 450mm or 600mm for 20 or 30mph traffic):





450mm minimum width:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ed8bbe1d3bf7f45ff9c2848/traffic-sign-drawing-schedule-03-part-02-item-12-p619.pdf





All vs the actual signs:



This seems mad, surely they can't expect someone to notice that pathetic little sign within a bigger square sign when doing 30mph (legal limit) down this road? I would have to go back with my ruler but I'm guessing it's about 200mm or less.

To complicate things there's a part 2:

- I was living at an address in Ealing

- The violation occurred 23rd May when I got the van to start moving things

- The van was returned 30th May

- The PCN was issued to the car rental company

- I moved out of the address 8th June (final day when keys were handed back) and moved to another borough

- Their letter to me 9th June states that they're charging me an admin fee and they've requested the PCN be re-issued to the actual driver / me

- I sent a request to the DVLA to update my driving licence address 12th June





I may or may not get letters forwarded on from my old property and as of right not I've not received anything relating to this other than the letter from Enterprise car rental. I could potentially ignore it as I've not yet been served the PCN.

But then really it seems so obviously inadequately signposted that I might as well just appeal it and not risk it being progressed to debt collectors etc? Any advice?

Thanks,

Tim

Yes the signs are atrocious. I got a PCN on another Ealing Street. The photo evidence didn't even show the sign as it was sited high up and away from the road to which it applies. The sign is so small, you can't even read it on the video (screenshot attached)

Annoyingly I drove through the same road a week later before the PCN arrived and still didn't notice the sign. I have made representation but I fully expect a rejection along with a condescending letter telling me why it is dangerous to drive along a road near a school, and implying that I am a terrible human being for wanting to get home without it taking 2 hours.



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If you want help, please start your own thread.

Yes of course, I was actually just agreeing with OP, and also soft bookmarking this post. If I want legal advice in future I will start a thread. Thanks