Haven't there been successful adjudications to the effect that there is no way of distinguishing tfl red routes from Redbridge's?
Yes but Mr Burke for example is now refusing them as I think signage is now in place and it's been long enough and publicised for drivers to become aware.
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Case reference 226011592A
Appellant Omar Mao
Authority London Borough of Redbridge
VRM EA68XUO
PCN Details
PCN AF58572511
Contravention date 02 Feb 2026
Contravention time 18:10:00
Contravention location Cranbrook Road
Penalty amount GBP 160.00
Contravention Stopped where prohibited on red route or clearway
Referral date -
Decision Date 27 Jul 2026
Adjudicator Michael Burke
Appeal decision Appeal refused
Direction Full penalty charge notice amount stated to be paid within 28 days.
Reasons The allegation in this case is that the vehicle was stopped where prohibited (on a Red Route or Clearway) in Cranbrook Rd. The Appellant does not dispute this but says that he is a private hire driver and stopped only to pick up passengers. He has provided evidence of his private hire licence and a screenshot of the particular job.
The enforcement camera evidence shows the vehicle stopping on a double red line. It is consistent with the Appellant’s account, showing passengers boarding the vehicle. However, as the Highway Code makes clear the double red line always means ‘No stopping at any time’.
London Borough of Redbridge has no boarding/alighting exemption for private hire drivers on its Red Route. Nevertheless, I have previously allowed appeals on the basis that the vast majority of Red Routes are enforced by Transport for London who do allow private hire drivers to stop for boarding/alighting. I took the view it was fundamentally unfair for London Borough of Redbridge to enforce PCNs as the driver would not be aware that the exemption did not apply to the particular Red Route. For the following reasons I take the view that the situation has changed with the passage of time:
1. The Enforcement Authority have provided evidence that information published by Transport for London makes it clear a small number of Red Routes are enforced by Local Authorities rather than Transport for London and that an accompanying map does not show this location as a Transport for London Red Route.
2. The Enforcement Authority have provided photographs of signs indicating that this Red Route is operated by London Borough of Redbridge.
3. The Red Route has been in place for some years now. I would expect any professional driver to familiarise himself with parking restrictions generally and any local variations. By 2026 a private hire driver would or should have been aware that London Borough of Redbridge does not have a boarding/alighting for private hire vehicles. I would also expect the professional driver to realise that Cranbrook Rd. was within the London Borough of Redbridge.
As the Highway Code makes clear the double red line always means ‘No stopping at any time’. In all the circumstances I am not satisfied the Appellant has established anything which goes beyond mitigation. The Enforcement Authority may cancel a PCN as a matter of their discretion. The Appellant asserts that they have failed properly to consider his representations but I am not satisfied he has established any such failure. An Adjudicator has no power to direct cancellation on the basis of mitigating circumstances.
Having considered all the evidence I am satisfied that the contravention occurred and that the PCN was properly issued and served. I am not satisfied that any exemption applies.
