Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi, I recently received this PCN. This is a side road parallel to Mortlake High Street that many people use when it gets congested. I  have been using this road for many years now without issue.

Apparently Richmond council put in place restrictions in September to stop people doing just that:
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/roads_and_transport/transport_planning_schemes/transport_schemes/north_worple_way_traffic_reduction_scheme

As I know the roads well, I didn't notice any signs at all of this restriction and went straight through so here we are.

There are no signs on google maps as presumably the images haven't been updated yet. View here.

I think the sign is the one right next to the bridge. Map of the signs here. I came down Second Avenue so would only have had one advanced warning sign 120 yards away.

I had a similar thing in Fulham where I wasn't aware of the street restrictions and got a PCN. I asked them nicely to give me a chance which they did. Should I do the same thing here? It's a bit unfair to suddenly put restrictions up and then give people tickets.

Any help appreciated.

Pics below.






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Do you mean the PCN number and number plate that I blacked out? I used to blank these out on Pepipoo but I noticed the sticky mentioned so I wasn't sure. Can I please ask why do you need these? Just curious. Shall I repost the pictures or just type them out?

OK I've updated the images now. Hope that's ok? Thanks in advance.

Ah thanks! I didn't realise that you guys went online to look the PCN up which is why you needed the details. Appreciate it!

On 2), sorry for doing piecemeal, I've uploaded all the other pages. Page 3 has the grounds. Or do you mean the online form doesn't have the grounds? It's very confusing as the online form is completely different to the form in the letter and only has a simple textbox. So I thought "contest" and "make representation" were two different things and contest online was the informal one.

Do I need to mention 3) and if so how?

Can I go with something like this?

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I have been driving on this road for many years but unfortunately was not aware of the recent implementation of restrictions.

Furthermore, I would also like to contest this PCN on the grounds of:
1) The Discount Expiry Date of 14/02/2025 is incorrect.
2) The Representation form online has no grounds. There is only a textbox.
3) The road seems like a trap and the signage is unclear.

I therefore ask that you cancel this PCN on this occasion. Thank you.

ok thank you so much! I won't mention the points like you suggest.

Well I probably travelled around 200 odd yards down the road. I never noticed the supposed advanced warning sign 120 yards away.

The no entry sign on the right doesn't bother me as it's a mini bus stop (which I never even noticed). But looking at those two big yellow permission restricted signs on either side of the road, I never even noticed them at all. I can only assume I must have been focusing on the pedestrian crossing the road and the speed bump.

Plus also unlikely I would have noticed these signs given I've driven down this road so many times.

Hiya Hippocrates, was wondering if you had any further ideas?

I was also wondering, aren't the councils obliged to give you a second chance for these types of restrictions?

Nope to Q two.

I would simply say the signage is a trap, there is no advanced warning in place, there is inadequate signage of the restriction itself and there is a plurality of signage  mention the No Entry sign.

Omit the other stuff as we don't want them to be forewarned.

actually I notice that the two restriction signs on either side of the road are also slightly different...

Ok have challenged. Thanks very much for the help. Fingers crossed now.