I've found two cases, one positive, one negative, but I think the case against the defective signage can be won even with a tough adjudicator if it's spelt out that the wording is on one plate and an example of good practice from other councils is provided (eg Islington).
Both of these cases concern Newham event days.
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2240208187
Mr Ali was scheduled for a personal hearing today but he has not attended and so the appeal is being decided on the evidence presented.
This PCN was issued for the alleged contravention of being parked in a permit holder only parking place during controlled hours without a valid permit. The car was parked on Saturday 11 February 2023.
The signage relied upon by the Council states permit holder only parking during the restricted hours of 8am to 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays. Beneath this are Event Day restrictions with extended controlled hours. It is not in dispute that there was no valid permit for parking.
The Council's evidence is that Saturday 11 February 2023 was an Event Day.
Mr Ali says that the signage was not clear and that he had no way of knowing that this was an Event Day.
The Council relies upon CPZ signs alerting motorists to Event Days. Library images are submitted of CPZ signs which carry an Event Day notice at the foot of the sign alerting motorists to the next such day.
CPZ signs alert motorists to single yellow line parking restrictions. A motorist parking on a single yellow line in a CPZ is expected to check CPZ parking sign restrictions and, in so doing, would be aware of Event Day restrictions. However, a motorist parking in a resident's bay is subject to the signed restrictions for the bay which may or may not be the same as CPZ restrictions.
Critically, the time plate for this permit parking place does not provide motorists with any information about Event Days. It does not refer the motorist to CPZ signs or to a website for details of Event Days. A motorist parking in the bay cannot be expected to know where to find details of Event Days.
The signage is also confusing as the reference to Event Days could easily be read as extended controlled hours where there is an Event Day Mondays to Fridays.
I therefore find that the signage was not adequate and I allow the appeal for that reason.
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2240107190
This vehicle on the council's case was parked on a resident's/shared use bay without valid cover an extended event day restriction being in force.
The relevant day was a Sunday.
The restriction is signed to apply Monday-Saturday 8am-6.30pm.
An additional event day restriction however is signed to apply 8am-9pm.
Where as here no days are specified in respect of a restriction it applies 7 days a week.
The council is required to sign its event days on zone entry signage. Images of event day signage are provided at 'H'. The motorist is expected to read such signage on passing it. I am satisfied that the appellant could not have parked where he did without passing signage such as this. The council is not required to post repeater event day signage within the zone. The Traffic Signs Manual provides guidance only and has no statutory force.
I entirely accept that the appellant intended to park correctly but his vehicle was subject to the extended event day restriction and I must accordingly find this contravention proved.
