Free Traffic Legal Advice

I can't see anything other than a polite plea for discretion based on what you say about when you arrived plus of course the receipt for parking.

Observation time is not a grace period - 10 mins statutory grace only kicks in after time has expired.

I don't think the off-street order will help but we can probably find it.

UPDATE: On 12th December I made an informal appeal online.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to ask that you please consider cancelling PCN ********** (vehicle ******* issued at Hainault Forest Country Park on 6 December 2025.

That day I took my two young daughters (aged 2 and 4) to the park. While entering my details on the RingGo app, they suddenly ran toward the nearby road after spotting the park’s little blue train. I immediately ran after them to ensure their safety. In the panic, I forgot to complete the payment, which I only realised later. As soon as I remembered, I paid the all-day rate at 13:56pm, well before we left at around 14:30pm. We were at the park for just under two hours, but I paid for the full day (8 hours) to ensure everything was properly covered. I have attached the RingGo receipt as proof.

I have always paid for parking at this location (see previous receipts) and would never deliberately avoid doing so. On this occasion, my only concern was the safety of my children.

I am currently on Universal Credit, my wife is unwell and we are struggling financially. With Christmas approaching, this penalty would cause real hardship for our family. I would be extremely grateful if the Council could exercise discretion and cancel the PCN in light of these exceptional circumstances, particularly as no loss was caused to the Council especially as I paid more than required for the actual time we stayed.

Thank you very much for taking the time to consider my situation.

Yours faithfully,

Their reply doesn't seem to be posted, can you check please. It is virtually certain you have received the usual Fob-Off letter we see so often.

God, what mean, grasping, and rapacious villains they are ! If you are prepared to wait for the Notice to Owner, you might care to read the Statutury Guidance which councils musthave regard to: -
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-enforcement-of-parking-contraventions/guidance-for-local-authorities-on-enforcing-parking-restrictions#considering-challenges-representations-and-appeals

In the above, you will find this text: -

An authority has a discretionary power to cancel a PCN at any point throughout the process. It can do this even when an undoubted contravention has occurred if the authority deems it to be appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

Under general principles of public law, authorities have a duty to act fairly and proportionately and are encouraged to exercise discretion sensibly and reasonably and with due regard to the public interest. Failure to act in accordance with the general principles of public law may lead to a claim for a decision to be judicially reviewed.

Enforcement authorities have a duty not to fetter their discretion, so should ensure that PNCs, NtOs, leaflets and any other advice they give do not mislead the public about what they may consider in the way of representations.

They should approach the exercise of discretion objectively and without regard to any financial interest in the penalty or decisions that may have been taken at an earlier stage

The downside is that so far is that none of the statutory ground for cancellation of a PCN seems to apply, although one could consider "procedural impropriety" as they seem to have failed properly to have had regard to the Statutory Guidance, because they state that because the PCN was served correctly (which it was), then it must be enforced despite any mitigation, so is totally against the statutory guidance. However it's your money because if you wait for the Notice to Owner, the discount option is lost, although it's likely they will re-offer it when rejecting your formal representations

In addition to the above, there may be a technical appeal available based on council mismanagement of the enforcement process, so wait a bit to see what may be suggested. Such appeals have nothing to do with the contravention itself.