Any advice on appealing this would be super appreciated as it feels pretty harsh, we received on 15/01 so I think I have to respond tomorrow otherwise the fine goes up!
1. It is a Penalty Charge. Fines are for criminal offences
2. The charge is discounted for early payment, basically to get the money in. If you pay it it means you're saying "Sorry guv, it's a fair cop, here's the money".
Looking at the video, it is as plain as a pikestaff, that the YBJ is excessively long, and this on its own is sufficient to win at London Tribunals. Why so ? Well the law is that a YBJ must be installed at the junction of two or more roads, but here the YBJ starts several metres before the actual junction and that is the part you stopped in. So no contravention occurred. Many appeals have been won on this basis. Having said that, are you prepared to stand your ground and risk the extra £80 if you take the matter to London Tribunals, the only place where you will receive a reasonably fair consideration of your case. The council get the money if they refuse representations so refuse virtally all of them. PCN penalty income makes
millions per year for London councils, so never, ever, think they will look at your representations dispassionately.
If you just pay up now you will be joining what we call the "Mugged Club".
