Free Traffic Legal Advice

I’m looking for some advice on disputing a Penalty Charge Notice that I believe has been unfairly issued.

I am a Blue Badge holder, and on the day in question I parked my vehicle but unfortunately forgot to display my Blue Badge. When I realised this, I had already moved a considerable distance away from the car and decided the most reasonable thing to do was to pay for parking instead, rather than return immediately. This was paid at 16.19pm on the 13th of Decemeber 2025.

I initially paid for one hour of parking via the RingGo app. When that session expired, I purchased another parking session through RingGo and I have proof of payment confirming this. This was paid at 17.20pm on the 13th of Decemeber.

However, despite completing the payment promptly, the RingGo session did not activate until 17 minutes later. I believe this delay was likely due to poor mobile signal or an app-related issue, as I was in an area with unreliable reception. During this 17-minute gap — which was completely outside my control — a PCN was issued. The PCN was issued at 17.32pm on the 13th of December, accounting for the 10 minute grace period. RingGo says the session restarted at 17.36pm on the 13th of December even though the payment proof states otherwise.

To be clear:
   •   Payment was made before the PCN was issued
   •   There was no intent to avoid payment
   •   The delay appears to be a technical issue with RingGo, not user negligence
   •   I am also a legitimate Blue Badge holder, albeit the badge was not displayed at the time

I submitted an appeal to the council explaining all of the above and included evidence of both RingGo payments, but the appeal was rejected without properly addressing the delay between payment and activation, or the mitigating circumstances. I then appealed again and was again rejected and has now escalated to Notice To Owner.

Happy to provide exact timings or anonymised evidence if helpful.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Chowdzz

Hi all,

Please see all files uploaded on Google Drive

I don't have my initial response but it pretty much similar to what I have wrote on the OP.

For my second response, I had uploaded the Blue Badge front and back on this response and I used information from here - Citizen's Advice

You couldn't get to your car because of mobility problems

GSV Link - https://maps.app.goo.gl/oAGNmguWyLzHUuAE9

Please let me know if anything is missing.

Thanks

Chowdzz

Note, I am a resident in London and I was only visiting Nottingham for the weekend. In London, we have different systems and policies and even though I've not used RingGo much, maybe I wasn't allowed to park again for 15 minutes and then it had started. Nevertheless, I went on RingGo after I got the PCN and it did say 17.36pm the session had started so I'm thinking the above or when the payment was made the signal didn't pass through back to RingGo.

For sure, I just don't know what would be the right criteria to dispute as it is such a unique situation I am in. Having forgotten the Disabled Badge, I did think that they would just cancel as that has happened in the past in London and the appeal was successful without any issues.