Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi team

I’d appreciate some advice regarding a PCN I’ve recently received on Swinderby Road (Brent Council), as I believe the signage is unclear and potentially misleading.
• At both the start and end of the road, there are signs indicating “permit holders only”.
• However, I also noticed signage mentioning “pay at meter / pay by phone” (RingGo), although this is not consistently displayed throughout the entire road.
• In some sections of the road, there is no clear indication that payment is allowed, while in others it appears permitted.

Based on this, I assumed the whole road allowed pay-by-phone parking, and I parked accordingly.
• I paid using the RingGo app (as I have done multiple times before on this road without issue).
• Despite this, I have now received a PCN.

My concern is that:
• The signage is inconsistent across the road, and
• It is not clear where permit-only restrictions apply vs where pay-by-phone is valid

Given that I did make payment in good faith and relied on previous experience of parking on this road, I feel the situation is quite confusing.

Could you please advise:
• Whether this is a valid ground for appeal (unclear/inconsistent signage)?
• Whether Brent Council is required to ensure clear and consistent signage along the entire stretch?
• If anyone has had a similar experience with this location?

Happy to share photos of the signage and the PCN if helpful.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1ZTc33Ljse18GxB9


Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks & Regards
Mansi

Hi

Thank you so much for the prompt response- I am referring to the sign similar to the below on the same road.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/v6h96rMQLr8quqZF6

I am trying to figure out a way to upload all the pictures and will so so asap.

Thanks

Thanks for your response, stamfordman.
I may have missed that particular sign. My understanding at the time was that during restricted hours I could still park as long as I paid, as this is what I have done previously on this road without receiving any PCNs. It now seems I may simply have been fortunate on those occasions.
Both sides of the road have signs referring to payment, and there is also a meter along with the option to pay via RingGo, which I used on this occasion.
What I find confusing is the lack of consistency in the signage — in some parts it refers to permit holders, while in others it suggests payment is allowed. This made it unclear where exactly the different restrictions apply.
Given this, I wanted to ask:

Is this worth challenging on the basis of unclear or inconsistent signage?
If a challenge is unsuccessful, would I still be able to pay at the discounted rate (£80), or would it increase to the full amount (£160)?

Brent normally re-offer the discount provided your reps are received by them within the discount period.

As Stamfordman says, signs for other bays are irrelevant to your case, it is the sign by the bay you parked in that applies, so why did you ignore it, (it being on only a few feet away from your car).