Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi,

I'd really appreciate some help with a Moving Traffic PCN I received from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

PCN: HZ99622866
VRM: LJ68HDX
Contravention: Code 52M – Failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle (motor vehicles)
Location: RMV Sawley Rd Westbnd nr Jct Bloemfontein Rd
Date of Alleged Contravention: 20/06/2026
Time: 21:34
Date of Notice: 30/06/2026
Camera Operator: VA143

I genuinely didn't spot/notice the restriction sign when turning right from Bloemfontein Rd onto Sawley Rd.

I was wondering if I could argue for obscured signage for the following reasons:

1) Roadworks: Right next to/underneath the restriction sign pole, there was a temporary green roadworks barrier and a triangular roadworks sign. This completely cluttered the view and distracted from the regulatory signage.

2) Major emergency incident: This occurred at 21:34, right as there was unfortunately a fatal building fire happening on the next road. The entire area was heavily congested and filled with multiple fire engines/emergency services. (News report here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/20/three-men-dead-after-west-london-building-fire). And the chaos/navigating around the emergency services had caused me to miss the restriction.

Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1916GkRf4U8sM9yrPNszA4XAYvfYfe5Ee?usp=sharing

Thanks in advance!

If memory serves me right, there were multiple fire engines / emergency vehicles parked up on the kerb all along the red line. With the incident happening at the X and the O being the junction where the turn was made.



Yes I was using sat nav.

I'd just try a basic appeal at first. You took a forbidden turn due to the emergency services blocking all the surrounding streets due to the building fire.

Thanks I will try that. Would they still offer a discount if the appeal is rejected?

The appeal will be rejected, not 'if'. London councils and TfL between them get between £600-700 million a year from PCN penalties, so are hardly unbiased. Apart from Havering, the other London councils re-offer the discount when rejecting representations, because they know that >95% of people then just cough-up, being terrified they will have to pay hundreds of pounds at the adjudicators. Are you one of that 95% ?

Are you saying I should expect the appeal to be rejected, and prep to take this to London Tribunals/adjudicators?

Yes. Of course they may accept your reps, but it would be very unusual.

You then will have two alternatives, (1) pay at the discounted rate, as they will usually re-offer this or (2) register an appeal at London Tribunals when the full PCN penalty will be in play. Of course if you win at LT you pay nothing, so it is essentially a 'double-or-quits' gamble