Free Traffic Legal Advice

I’m in a frustrating situation and could use some advice.
I’ve been parking my car in the same bay for about 4 months with no restrictions or signs at all. Then, just yesterday, the council installed new parking restriction signs. Today, they impounded my car and are charging me £360 to get it back.
The kicker? I’ve never received a single PCN or warning during those months of parking there lawfully.
So while the removal isn’t technically retroactive since the signs were up before they impounded the car, it feels really unfair to be hit with such a huge charge right after suddenly introducing restrictions—especially with no prior notice or PCNs issued.
I’m planning to formally challenge the charge and ask for my car back without paying.
Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Can councils enforce like this without issuing any PCNs beforehand? Do I have a good chance to win the challenge?
Thanks for any advice or shared experiences!

I’m planning to formally challenge the charge and ask for my car back without paying.

Interesting. The law provides a right to make formal reps after being advised of this right subsequent to paying to release the car. However, as a 'windscreen' PCN was issued you should be able to make informal reps....and for every day that passes, sometimes months, your car would attract storage charges which would dwarf the penalty within a week.

I'm with stamfordman: recover your car and stay within established procedure.

Please keep the pound paperwork exactly as they give it to you. Do not fold it or remove the staples.

Did you park before or after the new signs were in place?

maybe this helps..

just yesterday, the council installed new parking restriction signs. Today, they impounded my car and are charging me £360 to get it back.