Author Topic: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane  (Read 2317 times)

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Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
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Hi all,

For nearly 6.5 years, on a regular basis, I have parked on the same side of Love Lane in Liverpool, where no yellow lines exist, and I along with dozens of others have done so, walking into work from there. Two weeks ago I returned to find a ticket on my windscreen, and a local woman telling me I should challenge it. It was originally thought that this was an error relating to some changes in the area following the opening of the new Everton football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, and I have been aware not to park in the area on match days as I'm aware there has been a threat of more action taken in the surrounding area on such days. However, I later realised that this was suggesting I was parked for too long.

Supposedly they are saying there is now a 4-hour time restriction with no return within one hour. Whilst there are signed bays on the other side of the street, and "relatively" new signage advising of paid parking, this is all on that side of the street - markedly different and marked with bays.

I took some pictures at the time:









Below is the area on Google Maps. You'll see the sheer number of cars parking where this happened - in fact, I'm sure my car is visible a bit further down the road...

Google Street View

This is the PCN:



Unfortunately, perhaps underestimating how difficult it might be to get this overturned, I did already make an informal challenge, which came back rejected yesterday (12/11/25).

Perhaps this is simply going to be hard to take due to past lack of enforcement, but as you can imagine it's come as a bit of a surprise after all these years...

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

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Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #2 on: »
My Informal Challenge:

I believe this PCN has been issued in error. As you will see from your own images, there are no road markings or bays where I was parked, and no yellow lines restricting parking on that side of the road. No signs are in place on that side of the road either, and is in sharp contrast to the other side of the road the road where clear bays are marked. I and many others have parked down this side of the road for many years - myself for over 6 years whilst working in the city - and have never had parking restrictions enforced.

If parking restrictions are to be enforced on both sides of the road there needs to be clear signage and road markings indicating this.


Their Response:

I refer to your informal challenge (stage 1) made in connection with the issue
of the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) No. LV18607642.
The City Council has considered all information available at this stage,
however, your challenge has been rejected. You now have two options: -

1. Pay the PCN within 14 days of the date of this letter at the discounted
rate. After 14 days the PCN can still be paid but it will be at the full
original amount. See Section 1 below.

2. Do not pay and a Notice to Owner (NtO) will be served to the
registered owner/keeper of the vehicle after a minimum of 28 days
which will allow a formal representation (stage 2) to be submitted. See
Section 2 below.

Reason(s) for rejection:

A PCN was issued to the above vehicle because it was 30-Parked for longer
than permitted in LOVE LANE - L3 on the 27/10/2025. The vehicle was
observed between 11:44 and 16:15 and the Notice was issued at 16:15.

We acknowledge your representations in respect of this PCN.

Our CEO (Civil Enforcement Officer) carried out all relevant checks on your
vehicle and found no evidence of a valid permit etc on display. The issuing
officer further inspected the vehicle and there was nothing else displayed that
entitled your vehicle to be parked at the stated time/ location.

At the time of contravention the bays in situ allow parking for up to 4 hours
with no return within one hour. According to the Officers notes, your vehicle
was first observed parked at the location at 11:44, and on returning later on in
the afternoon after which over 4 hours had elapsed, found your vehicle still
parked in the same location Since the vehicle was still parked past the
allowed period parking time, the vehicle has incurred the above PCN.

I note your comments regarding signage at the location.

In some areas where it has been deemed appropriate to put a permit parking
scheme in place, there may not be enough space on the highway to mark out
resident bays. These areas will be classed as ‘Permitted Parking Areas’
(PPA) and instead of bay markings the entrance(s) to the PPA will have a
time plate on both sides of the street stating ‘Permit Holders Only Past This
Point’, there will also be a boundary markings at each entrance.

Residents/ permit holders may park anywhere past this boundary and within
the PPA (provided they do not obstruct pavement or other properties)
provided that a valid permit is clearly displayed. There will be repeater signs
within the PPA reminding motorists they are within a permit area, and any
visitors must also display a valid ‘visitor permit’ (which can be sought from the
resident they are visiting). As with all time plates, if there are no days/hours on
the plates, the PPA applies “at any time”.

I would respectfully remind you that it is the responsibility of the driver to
observe and adhere to all relevant restrictions prior to leaving the vehicle
parked.

Based on the evidence available to me at this time and the details of your
incoming representations I would advise that the circumstances of this case
do not warrant exercise of discretion favourably, consequently the penalty
charge remains payable.



Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #3 on: »
Your problem is the sign found by 'catnip'. It means that no signs or lines are needed beyond that sign. However, I would expect repeater signs due to the size of the zone.

I would criticise it being only a single sign, but GSV showing that sign is July 2024 well over a year ago. When was the last time you parked on that street ?

Their letter is also contains a mis-statement of the signs. The sign on GSV allows public parking for 2 hours, without a permit within the controlled hours. Whether this is enough to win at the adjudicators, I'm not sure.


Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #4 on: »
Just had a look round you can access where you parked from this road, and the sign here will not cut the mustard as an entrance sign

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DPWNqKA76jkkj8iy5

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #5 on: »
I should be down around the area in the next few days but haven’t been back since the day of the incident.

I take note that the signing on GSV might not be deemed sufficient (is this just the size and prominence?), but will take pictures of the current signage from the adjoining roads and share here.

Thanks for everyone’s input thus far.

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #6 on: »
Looking at GSV there are several entrance roads with no signs at all, but it may be out of date. It's worth driving down each one and noting what signage is present when you visit.

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #7 on: »
OP, this is nonsense. None of the authority's photos includes a traffic sign so prove nothing other than your vehicle was stationary in the road.

The signs that have been posted have no relevance to the authority's response which refers to a 4-hour limit.

There is no such thing as a 'Permitted Parking Area'.

Perhaps your visit and photos will help?

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #8 on: »
Okay, I finally made it back to the area in question. I ended up taking video of me walking up each side street and the areas between on Love Lane.

I recommend watching this sped up to some degree as it’s 30 minutes total. There’s definitely a few inconsistencies as far as entrances and exits to the area. They seem to get better signage as they get towards the end, but even the entrance sign at the end of the run is placed in what I would suggest is an awkward and somewhat obscured position. There’s also a couple of side streets without “end of area” signage.

Anyway, here’s the video. Unfortunately it’s filmed in the dark. Please let me know if you’d like anything clearer as I’ll be in the area on Monday.

https://youtu.be/hchOEel5zfg?si=bq9zY0cFvpIsrJKG

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #9 on: »
If you found a route to where you parked without suitable signage then that is a sure-fire winner.
However, the points that HCA has noted would surely enable you to win this appeal without needing any further evidence.

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #10 on: »
Okay, so I think I’m definitely going to make the formal appeal. Is the fact that no picture was taken of the offending signage a slam dunk in itself? I’m also intrigued at the comment of a PPA not having any proper standing?

I can definitely make an argument for signage being easily missed due to poor placement, but wondering whether I should focus on the other points?

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #11 on: »
Hi all,

Having received the NtO I have drafted a formal challenge to the PCN.

I am of the assumption that the most appropriate grounds would be “There has been a procedural impropriety by the enforcement authority”? The next best option would appear to be “The Order which is alleged to have been contravened in relation to the vehicle concerned is invalid”.

I’d appreciate any feedback. I was unsure whether I should list all my points of argument and how specific they expect me to be, but I hope this is at least a good jumping-off point.

Here is is:

To whom it may concern,

I find it necessary to challenge PCN LV18607642 and outline 3 arguments as to why I believe this warrants cancellation:

1. None of the photographs provided with said PCN include a traffic sign alluding to the contravention. Said photos therefore prove only that the vehicle was stationary in the road.

2. It is my understanding that there exists no such thing as a “Permitted Parking Area” (PPA), as referred to in your response to my informal challenge of 12 November 2025.

3. The signage on several of the roads leading into the “PPA” are inadequate in size and visibility and could not knowingly be sighted en route to parking in said area. I have taken images and video of the entrances and note that some are obscured on entrance, several are small and side-on to the driver, placed poorly to ensure visibility on entry, and the signs at the foot of several roads are at the front on the far side of a one-way entrance, making them easily missed on turning into the area in question. Ironically, these signs would otherwise be not just the biggest, but the most visible of the lot. It is also worth highlighting that many of the signs are poorly illuminated.

I would be happy to provide my video examining the roads and their signage on request (filmed on 21 November 2025).

I trust that you will find my points valid and cancel the demand for payment at your earliest opportunity.

Kind Regards,

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #12 on: »
Is anyone able to advise on the above?

Many thanks,
Dan

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #13 on: »
Whatever you write they will reject, as this is a money game for them. If nobody else comments, I'd put it in as written.

Re: Liverpool, 30-Parked for longer than permitted, Love Lane
« Reply #14 on: »
So I submitted my challenge to Liverpool City Council on 29 January whilst I was away visiting family. Upon arriving back this week I saw I had received a charge certificate dated 22 January, which states that it was now too late to challenge.

I had no idea how long I had to challenge as the NtO and PCN didn’t say. I’m concerned that if I don’t pay I could end up with a CCJ but I have no idea - bar calling their office tomorrow perhaps - whether they will consider my challenge. Should I press ahead with my challenge or is too late?