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MW94722827- 19/03/2026 19:04 -High Street (chatham) - Appeal logged
18/05/2026
https://ibb.co/Cpjz4zXHParked in a restricted street during prescribed hours
£70.00
Adjudicator's reasons for registering:
The appeal is registered
Grounds of Appeal:
The alleged parking contravention did not occur.
Explanation:
I appeal this Penalty Charge Notice on the ground that the alleged contravention did not occur.
First, there was no adequate signage at the location to convey any waiting restriction to motorists. Accordingly, the restriction was not sufficiently indicated and no contravention can be established.
Secondly, and in any event, I was stopped solely for the purpose of loading goods, which is an exempt activity under the relevant traffic restrictions.
Further, nothing within the Medway Council (Chatham Town Centre) Traffic Regulation Order 2024 appears to create a waiting restriction at the location where the vehicle was observed. If no such restriction exists in the applicable Order, the alleged contravention cannot be sustained and the Penalty Charge Notice must be cancelled.
I will provide a detailed appeal submission, together with supporting evidence, in due course. In the meantime, I rely upon the formal representations previously made to the enforcement authority and ask that they be treated as incorporated into this appeal.
For the above reasons, I submit that the alleged contravention did not occur and respectfully invite the Adjudicator to allow the appeal and direct the cancellation of the Penalty Charge Notice.
Authority Information▼
Authority Summary:
Medway Council submits the following statement in response to the formal representation received from the appellant in relation to the above Penalty Charge Notice.
The Penalty Charge Notice was issued because the appellant's vehicle was observed parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours, namely within Chatham High Street between 17:00-10:00, when access is prohibited to all unauthorised vehicles, accept for the purposes of loading and unloading. This area is also covered by a permanent “no stopping at any time” restriction, clearly indicated by prominent signage at the entrance on Batchelor Street and Military Road.
The appellant claims there was “no adequate signage” in place. However, photographic evidence (specifically Items 12 & 13) submitted by the Council shows clear, compliant signage at the points of entry into the restricted area. This includes:
A sign marking the pedestrian and cycle zone, operational from 10:00 to 17:00.
A “No Stopping at Any Time” sign beneath, which makes clear that stopping is not permitted under any circumstances, except for loading purposes between the hours of 17:00-10:00.
These signs are fully compliant with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) and clearly inform motorists of the restrictions in effect. It is the driver’s responsibility to read and comply with such signage when entering a restricted area.
The appellant asserts that they were stopped for the purpose of loading goods. However, this claim is unsupported by any evidence. The receipt Ms Wilson has provided, evidence item 4, is for the purpose of shopping not loading/unloading. The receipt shows a time of 17:56 as time of purchase. The guidelines used by Civil Enforcement Officers in respect of loading and unloading are that the activity around the vehicle should be continuous, adjacent, reasonable, timely and heavy goods.
The Map, evidence item 7 also shows a distance of approximately 220 metres form where the vehicle was parked, in relation to 'Primark' where the goods were purchased. The car park, situated above 'The Pentagon Shopping Centre' is approximately 90 metres from the store, considerable closer to where the purchases were made, item 8.
Ms Wilson has also stated that there is no adequate signage indicating the restrictions to motorist, however, items 9 & 10 show a previous PCN (MW91973718) issued on 27/10/2024, at the same place. Ms Wilson would, therefore, be aware of the restrictions in place at this location. Ms Wilson also chose to take this PCN to the TPT and subsequently lost this appeal.
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) covering this location explicitly prohibits vehicle access and stopping between 10:00 and 17:00. This includes an explicit exclusion of the loading/unloading exemption within the restricted period, due to the area being a high-footfall pedestrian zone.
The appellant asserts that “nothing in the Medway Council (Chatham Town Centre) (Traffic Regulation) Order 2024” creates a waiting restriction. This is incorrect. The Order does include both the pedestrian zone and no stopping restriction on Chatham High Street and has been correctly implemented and enforced. The PCN was issued in accordance with the provisions of this TRO, which lawfully prohibits stopping or parking during the stated times and under the conditions described on the signage.
The vehicle was observed parked within a restricted zone during operational hours.
Signage was clear, visible, and legally compliant.
No adequate proof of loading was provided, the receipt provided was for shopping not loading, as it did not fall under the criteria of being heavy goods. shopping is not considered as loading and no time is given to enable drivers to make their purchase.
The relevant TRO is valid and enforceable.
The contravention occurred as alleged, and the Penalty Charge Notice was issued correctly.
Medway Council respectfully requests that the adjudicator upholds the penalty charge.
