Author Topic: Harrow Council, code 83 Parked without valid ticket, Harrow Leisure Centre (Read 122 times)

del_trotter · « **on:** May 12, 2026, 07:07:47 am »

Hi,

On 07/02/26 I received a windscreen PCN in Harrow Leisure Centre carpark. Parking is free for the first 3 hrs but I forgot to press submit at the final stage on the PayByPhone app.

After reading advice for similar cases on here, I lodged an appeal online on 19/02/26 explaining that I forgot to press submit and if they could cancel the PCN as it was in the free period anyway. I got an email back acknowledging they had received my appeal and would try to reply in the next 8 weeks.

It has been over 8 weeks and I haven't heard anything back on my appeal (I've also checked my spam folder).

On 08/05/26 I received an NTO in the post saying the penalty has not been paid and giving me the chance to appeal.

Please can you advise what the next step is? As I understand it, if they don't formally respond to my appeal within 8 weeks, it is deemed to have been accepted - is this correct?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Del

Incandescent · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2026, 10:02:10 am »

Quote

It has been over 8 weeks and I haven't heard anything back on my appeal (I've also checked my spam folder).

No, you're not correct. There is no statutory maximum period for responding to informal reps. If you look at the 'small print' on the back of your PCN, you'll see some text that they will consider reps, but if they serve an NtO anyway, you must respond to the NtO. There is a limit of 6 months to serve an NtO, and a 56 day limit to respond to reps against that.

However London Tribunals look at anything over 3 months as unfair and candidate for cancellation of the PCN.

stamfordman · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2026, 12:52:03 pm »

Quote from: Incandescent on May 12, 2026, 10:02:10 am

However London Tribunals look at anything over 3 months as unfair and candidate for cancellation of the PCN.

That's for moving traffic contraventions as they do not have the 56 day limit.

del_trotter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2026, 02:07:05 pm »

Thanks for your replies. I have attached images of the original windscreen ticket and NTO I've received.

In this case should I reappeal via the process on the NTI with my original argument?

del_trotter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2026, 11:15:26 am »

Deleted

del_trotter · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2026, 11:41:08 am »

I've had a look at the PCN online to see the photographic evidence which I have attached below. The text on the photos of the noticeboard and ticket machine are illegible. Is this reasonable grounds to appeal?

I found the below recent case which upheld the appeal on similar grounds:

Case 225068631

Case reference 2250678631
Appellant Kola Oliyide
Authority London Borough of Harrow
VRM KR65DMY
PCN Details
PCN IY00280701
Contravention date 14 Aug 2025
Contravention time 10:31:00
Contravention location LEISURE CENTRE CAR PARK
Penalty amount GBP 90.00
Contravention Parked in car park without clearly display
Referral date -
Decision Date 17 Apr 2026
Adjudicator Andrew Harman
Appeal decision Appeal allowed
Direction
cancel the Penalty Charge Notice and the Notice to Owner.

Reasons
The contravention alleged in these proceedings is that this vehicle was parked in the Leisure Centre Car Park without clearly displaying a valid pay and display ticket.

There is no dispute that parking in this car park is free for up to 3 hours.

On the council's case, for that concession to apply, there is a requirement that the vehicle upon being parked is registered on Pay By Phone.

On the officer's photographs what is written on the payment machine cannot be read, and the council adduces no evidence that this condition was clearly communicated to the appellant.

The appellant provides an image of the car park tariff board.

I am not satisfied, having considered his submissions on the point, that the condition to register the vehicle is clearly stated thereon.

This contravention has not been proved.

The appeal is allowed.