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I’ve received a PCN from Lambeth (code 52, no motor vehicles) at Kennington Oval.

I’m unfamiliar with the area and this is my first PCN from Lambeth. There was no intention to disregard any restriction.

The council’s photos and video show “No Motor Vehicles” signs positioned on both the left and right at the entry point. I've matched the buildings and trees in the PCN stills to Clayton Street on Google Street View so I think the contravention occurred on Clayton Street, although the PCN lists the location as “Kennington Oval”.

I couldn’t see any advance warning signage on street view and I think the restriction only becomes apparent at the point of entry itself. I'm not 100% sure on this but by the time the signs were visible, I was already committed to the turn and stopping or reversing would have been unsafe and impractical.

I appreciate that satnav routing is not a defence and I’m not relying on that as a ground of appeal but it explains why I was routed there as an unfamiliar driver.

Having seen the wording on Lambeth’s website trying to put drivers off appealing, I’m expecting them to reject any informal challenge and understand this would likely need to go to tribunal. My question is whether there are realistic grounds to contest this on signage adequacy/point-of-no-return grounds at this location or whether it would be wiser to pay at the discount stage.

Any guidance appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for replying and sharing those GSVs @Incandescent.

If you drove up Clayton St and turned left, you would have passed these No Entry signs:-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/d1Mv4qopFjGqK4hB8
GSV view is dated August 2025; are they still there ? One can see the Flying Motorbike signs to the left, but you shouldn't have even started the turn assuming the No Entry signs are still there. In addition, as you turn in to CLayton St from Kennington Road, there are cul-de-sac signs each side of the street:-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rr2m2hA3XY2cQmwx8

Looking again, I definitely didn't pass no entry signs and don't think I drove along Clayton St and turned left. I was coming from SW11 and remember coming round the oval itself so I think I must have gone past Clayton St (to my left) and carried on going.

So, all in all, you can now see how use of a satnav in London is fraught with risk, being never up-to-date.  When was the last time yours was updated ?

Fraught with risk indeed! I know the traffic was very heavy that day and my satnav thought it was helping by taking me on a "better" route :/ Clearly, it's not as up-to-date as it needs to be!

I see no credible appeal argument for the contravention itself, but appeals have been won in recent times based on council mismanagement of the enforcement process, so wait a bit to see what may be suggested. Councils have recently set-up some appalling websites for submitting representations, and wins have been just on this.

Ok thank you, I have a couple of days before the deadline so I'll see if anything's suggested.

Back to the website: what are the dates re increase?  Please screenshot.

Quote from: Hippocrates on December 30, 2025, 11:15:17 am

Back to the website: what are the dates re increase?  Please screenshot.

Thanks Hippocrates. Is this what you're referring to?

@Hippocrates

Firstly, Happy New Year to you!

My PCN is still at discount stage but increases to £160 tomorrow (6 Jan).

I'd appreciate guidance on whether I can appeal this or need to pay (presumably by the end of today before it increases).

If you need further screenshots or information, please let me know.

Thanks for your help!

Please check the increase date with the PCN.

Thanks for the quick reply @Hippocrates

The online date is longer than shown on the PCN itself. I wondered if they added extra days on to allow for Christmas and new year - or is it an error? It's very confusing :/

Online: 17.12.25 to 6.1.26 = 20 days
PCN: 17.12.25 to 31.12.25 = 14 days

The PCN states:

"The amount of penalty charge which is payable is £160. The penalty charge must be paid before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the notice.

If the penalty charge is paid before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of the notice, the amount of the penalty charge will be reduced by 50% to £80."

Exactly which is why we win on their website. It gets worse further down the line actually.  Prod me for a draft

Good to hear, thank you. A draft would be amazing

https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/lambeth-code-53j-failing-to-comply-with-a-restriction-on-vehicles-entering-a-p/msg105113/#msg105113

Point 2.

Yes. Have you any points re the actual contravention signage?