Here is a draft appeal - any advice around it would be greatly appreciated.
------------
Dear Sir or Madam,
I make these representations on the grounds that the alleged contravention did not occur and, alternatively, ask the Council to exercise its discretion in the exceptional circumstances of this case.
Incomplete CCTV evidence
The evidence disclosed to me consists of CCTV footage of approximately 40 seconds' duration. The footage shows my wife leaving the vehicle but ends before the sequence of events is complete. It does not establish how long the vehicle remained at the location or what occurred after the clip ends.
If the Council relies on any additional CCTV evidence, I request that the complete, unedited recording be disclosed. If no further footage exists, I ask the Council to explain how it considers that the short extract alone is sufficient to establish the alleged contravention.
Exceptional circumstances
At the time of the alleged contravention, my elderly mother was travelling with me. She is a registered Blue Badge holder with significant mobility difficulties and was unable to be left unattended. She therefore remained in the vehicle throughout.
I also remained in the vehicle at all times so that I could stay with and assist my mother if required.
My wife briefly went into the nearby Tesco to purchase a small number of essential grocery items for my mother before returning to the vehicle.
I appreciate that the restrictions are intended to keep Red Routes clear and I fully respect their purpose. However, this was not a stop made for convenience or to gain any advantage. It was a brief stop made because I could not leave my disabled mother unattended while essential items were obtained for her.
I therefore respectfully request that the Council exercise its discretion and cancel the Penalty Charge Notice in light of these exceptional circumstances.
Consideration of representations
If the Council is minded to reject these representations, I request that it specifically addresses:
whether any CCTV footage exists beyond the 40-second extract disclosed;
why it considers the disclosed footage sufficient to establish the contravention;
whether it has considered my mother's disability and the fact that she could not safely be left unattended; and
the reasons why it declines to exercise its discretion.
