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You might not consider this very helpful, but I would presume that the restriction was 24/7, 365 days a year unless the signage specifically indicated otherwise.

I'm also surprised that you say the council treat Good Friday and Easter Monday as "Bank Holidays" but not Easter Sunday.  I'm surprised because all my local supermarkets are open on Friday and on Monday, but not on Sunday.

Is this a thing in Newham?  (Or in London generally.  I don't live in London...)

This is an absolutely disgraceful PCN; the bay markings are totally absent ! If you had parked at the other end, after the "Scarab" truck in your GSV view, why would you think you need to go and see a bay restriction sign when there is no bay !!  There is, if a motorist parks in a marked bay, a duty on him to establish what restrictions there might be for that bay, and hence go and look for the sign. But here there is no marked bay.  Of course there were markings there in 2019
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bmHXjxq8Q33BxgPc9
but they've all disappeared now.

I would say this has to be a clear win at London Tribunals.

Thanks both for your responses. How's the below - edits are to prevent this being indexed on Google but the full details remain in the images. The sections in lime green are optional and don't add to making the key point (as well as open up an angle of CEO incompetence/malpractice) so I don't know if that would be helpful or a hindrance in terms of maximising the chances of an early disposal?

Grateful for any thoughts.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write with reference to PCN**** issued to my vehicle ****** on Albert Road on 31 March, 2023. I wish to make representations regarding this PCN, which are set out below.

I parked in the location specified because I had been of the understanding that Easter Sunday is a Public Holiday, and that therefore, permit and shared use bays within Controlled Parking Zones are not enforced. I now understand this not to be the case. Regardless, my first representation is the fact that enforcement continues on Easter Sunday is not clear from your website, which does not make clear what is defined as a Bank holiday and Public holiday (GOV.UK only lists Bank Holidays - your additional reference to un-referenced Public Holidays therefore creates ambiguity). Given this was a genuine mistake, I would like you to consider cancelling the PCN as a gesture of goodwill and mutual understanding.

Having looked into this matter in more detail, I wish to make a second representation, which is that in the event, I do not believe that Newham Council is able to properly enforce the purported parking controls at the specific location in question. From review of your CEO's evidence, there is no visible white bay marking where the vehicle is parked, and the impression could therefore be given that a controlled parking bay does not exist at that location. Given the absence of the required markings, I do not consider that Residents Parking controls should have been subject to enforcement at this location. This inadequate marking must have been clear to your CEO who proceeded to issue the PCN regardless. I consider the PCN is not enforceable and therefore your CEO could not, if they were acting properly, have had reasonable cause to believe a PCN was payable given the clearly defective road markings.

I would ask that my representations are reviewed and that the PCN is cancelled as it was issued as a result of genuine error on my part, and ultimately, it also does not seem to be legally enforceable.

I have no experience of these tribunals but am a seasoned letter-writer/complainer (including against said Council previously!) so am happy to pursue this one if there is a good prospect of success - all of this advice is much appreciated. I am not sure (and am unable to gather from reading other threads) whether it is likely to help or hinder if I volunteer that I thought controls did not apply on that day (which is why I parked) or whether I should say less and more narrowly build the argument on the lines not being properly in place.

Thanks, fair enough! 

I presume there is no point in waiting any longer to send informal reps if I have no intention of ultimately paying at this stage?

I'm likely to move house within the next 6 months so I'd rather any NtO came sooner rather than later.

Well, I don't have any intention of paying at any stage from what I have seen of their case so far!

One point before I send:

The fact they will probably not read my informal representations aside, on reflection I'd be more comfortable being a little more direct that my argument is rooted in the lack of the required road markings, vs leaving that for them to figure out. If this goes to Tribunal and I win, I don't just want to leave it at that - I'd like to lobby Councillors on Newham's gung-ho attitude to parking enforcement in the neighbourhood. I think that is more effective if I showed I engaged positively and tried to shut the matter down early (vs just put them to proof) and this was ignored. As a matter of personal style I also think this makes me look more reasonable in front of an Adjudicator and vice versa, Newham less so.

There is also part of me that would rather the PCN went away (even if a Tribunal victory would be enjoyable, I'd obviously prefer to avoid the case progressing any further if possible) and it seems that unless they are genuinely not reading any of the informal representations that there is still some slightly increased chance (even if this is still highly unlikely) that the below might lead someone to see sense.

What about:

Dear London Borough of Newham,

Having viewed the photos taken by the civil enforcement officer I do not believe that you can evidence a contravention, as there are no road markings shown indicating parking controls on the point the vehicle is stopped. It would appear the PCN must have been issued in error. I trust you will arrange for its prompt cancellation.

Yours faithfully

Ultimately though, defeating the PCN is obviously more important to me than the ability to complain about Newham's policies through local politics or seeming like a 'reasonable guy'. Would my latest proposed representation be likely to reduce my chances/options at Adjudication? If so I'll go with what's you proposed cp8759.

Thanks again for the advice to me and so many others on this forum which is highly appreciated.

Glad you see my logic - I'll send later tonight or tomorrow.

I've just revisited the site in passing and although light was too dim to get a photograph (and not sure if that is relevant) absolutely no bay markings were visible, at all (far deteriorated from GSV). At most the odd fleck of white.

I'll update when I hear anything back. Thanks so much again.

Representations submitted - response due by 27 May 2024.

You couldn't make it up, really !

Actually, knowing how bovinely stupid councils are, you can !!!