Free Traffic Legal Advice

This is a very common trap by councils amd we see quite a few cases like yours over the years. There are two restrictions, (1) the No Stopping zig-zags with a sign for the applicable times, and (2) the single yellow sign indicating a No Waiting restriction on certain days and times. As there is no sign, you were, in all likelihood, in a CPZ where the yellow line times are on the CPZ entrance signs.

Cases have been won on similar situations where it was claimed the presence of the yellow line restriction is not immediately apparent, and a sign should have been erected for the yellow line as well as the zig-zags. Needless to say the council will never give way, (they want your money !!), so you'd have to take them to London Tribunals and risk the full PCN penalty. There may be cases on this in the LT Statutory Register so you could try searching it using the street name as a reference.

Here is the street view for the road entrance:

Road Entrance

Here is where I was parked in front of the lampost:

Where I was parked

All I know is that I approached via Woodlands Road and turned left into Rutland Road, not sure which road I took before Woodlands Road.

Either way would that really matter as how would they know that and why would that matter considering the contravention was because of where I was parked rather than where I drove through..?

All I know is that I approached via Woodlands Road and turned left into Rutland Road, not sure which road I took before Woodlands Road.

Either way would that really matter as how would they know that and why would that matter considering the contravention was because of where I was parked rather than where I drove through..?

You were parked on a yellow line within a CPZ during the restricted times, hence the PCN. Absence of a sign by a yellow line doesn't mean you can park there come what may, it means you need to be aware of CPZs and their entry signs. If something in London looks too good to be true, then it usually IS too good to be true. The CPZ entry signs  have the restricted times for all the yellow lines in the CPZ. Councils love them because it saves the cost of signing all the yellow lines.
Here are the signs at Bedford Street:-


That's why I asked you how you got to Rutland Road, because you would have passed one of the CPZ entry signs, but if it's missing or damaged etc, you would have a case for cancellation of the PCN.