Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello,

I got a motorcycle which I'm not riding anymore and planning to sell very soon.

I have parked it outside my partners' home because it's a much safer road than where I live.

The motorbike has been parked there since April with no issues.

Three months later.. (June 26th) I got news that a PCN was affixed on it related to Contravention 12 (I am out of the country at the moment).

Parking for motorcycles used to be free in Hackney.

I know there was a consultation to introduce charges but I never got notified about the change and there has been no street signs or anything to inform motorists that this has been in place.
A neighbour who is also a resident AND owns a moped confirmed the same - no information received whatsoever.

Is there any way to challenge this?

I don't even know on which day the restriction got introduced and I can't find it by looking at the council website either. But I know I have parked the motorcycle there way too many times and never got a ticket so it seems unfair that without notice one day they decide to start issuing PCN's.

Had I known this I would have moved the bike or just cover it which also would save me from getting a ticket at least until I return and move it.

Thank you in advance.

- - -

Google Drive Link with screenshots here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1x7X3H2S8rPn3Tj1qJ6Uq4VnYJkgVLMZc?usp=drive_link

Details:
Ticket Reference: QZ20990879
VRM: LJ58VTF

Contravention 12 - Parked in a residents' or shared use parking place or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place where required, or without payment of the parking charge.

This is the exact location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/P14AyeJc5K6SvtWv8

Thank you!

Why would you be notified in you are not a resident?

A number of different ways:
1) I would be informed via my partner who is a resident and also a couple of neighbours who own bikes too which are parked next to mine. 2) A paper on the street saying restrictions are enforced from the given date - I am visiting the address literally every other day. 3) I was a Hackney resident at the time and I had signed up with my email address but I wouldn't bet on that.

I mean... surely they HAVE to notify the public from when the restrictions are enforced since they are new??? Or we keep it silent so on the first day of enforcement we make thousands?


The traffic sign you posted - albeit one 6 years' old - restricts the parking to resident permit holders.

The sign says the same for many years during which we have been parking for free. So when there is a change of the rules but no change of the sign at least a notice on the streets or a letter/email to residents should be sent?


No it wouldn't.

Yes it would - the bike next to mine in the picture didn't get a PCN. Mine was also covered from the next day as I'm still away, and hasn't received another ticket.

Back to the original question, any ways this can be challenged? It's not a vehicle parked illegally out of negligence , the fact that there is no date announced on the change isn't it strange enough?

Any ideas on what the responsibilities of the council are when enforcing new restrictions?

Thank you.

I would submit representations on the basis of your long term parking and the change was unknown to you. If a temporary sign had been put up a few weeks in advance advising of new payment requirements, you would have paid. Here in Cheshire East, there are signs all over the place advising of new charging hours and tariffs. No reason why Hackney could not have done similar

Thank you both.

@Incandescent, I totally agree and I was waiting for the same. If not signs all over the place, then an update on the existing parking signs. If not any of the above, then at least a letter to residents. None of this has happened, updating their website is not a way of communicating changes in parking restrictions.

@H C Andersen, thank you, I was aware of the consultation and I took part as I was a resident in Hackney myself at the time! But I expected some notification in the area or a change on the signs.

Also, the link you sent implies that the changes were in place in June 2024 but my bike has been parked there more than half a year since that day and it never received a ticket! And no other bike on the street for that matter.

Another article I found online suggests that this came into effect in June 2025 instead.

I do believe it is clearly a way for the councils to make more money, but I was just trying to find something formal to base my appeal on.

The only thing I found so far is this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-enforcement-of-parking-contraventions/guidance-for-local-authorities-on-enforcing-parking-restrictions

For info, the Gov.Uk website has this VRM as SORN'd and with no current MOT.