Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi everyone,

I am writing to seek any help and guidance regarding a PCN matter I encountered yesterday in Brent London.

I received a PCN for the vehicle entering a pedestrian zone. While I acknowledge the violation because of the letter, I believe the signage at the location was not clear, in the middle of the road and after a junction with Lewgars Avenue, which led to an unintentional mistake on my part. And there is no warning signage before this signage

Attached please find my letter of PCN. You may check the case via https://brent.tarantoportal.com/

Greatly appreciate any legal expertise in evaluating my situation and advising me on the best approach to handle this matter!

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So in what way do you think you were cheated ?

A look at GSV shows it to be way out-of-date with the last pass of the GSV camera car on October 2012, so no good to us.  What we need to know is whether there is any advance warning of the restriction.  There is only one sign, very high up, indeed if you had your sun visor down you could well miss it. That's about all I can find for the actual contravention, but cases can be won on errors in the PCN or the traffic order establishing the restriction.
So please post-up all of the PCN including the "small print" where errors are commonplace.

Video:



Traffic order: The Brent (Prescribed Routes) (Pedestrian & Cycle Zone) (No. 24) Traffic Order 2022.

The sign looks clear to me, I don't see an adjudicator ruling that it is inadequate.

Here's a more up to date GSV: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZD1PCqmiroNFTs6J7

The only thing I can suggest is make a plea for discretion and hope that they mess up the response. Do you have any meaningful mitigation to put forwards?

Possibly but you haven't answered my question. Do you have any meaningful mitigation to put forwards?

@cp8759: Possible mitigation: the time showing in my vehicle is GMT0 and is not automatically changed to British summer time. At that moment it was showing 13:51 instead of 14:51. With the wrong time 13:51, it is beyond the limitation of entering the pedestrian zone. Is it possible to use this to challenge?

@Incandescent: I have missed the signage because my sunvisor may have downed. Could it be a reason to challenge?

The sun would have been behind you? It's rather obvious from the shadows in the video.

@cp8759, can you please draft the representation for me?
Many thanks in advance.

How about you write a draft in your own words and put it on here for review? Then we can tidy it up for you.

Quote from: jacoblo on October 06, 2023, 10:20:22 am

@cp8759, can you please draft the representation for me?
Many thanks in advance.

How about you write a draft in your own words and put it on here for review? Then we can tidy it up for you.

@cp8759 please advise on the drafted representation. Many thanks!!
Greatly appreciate anyone could tidy up!!

"
I am writing to formally challenge the PCN I received on 03/10/2023. I believe that there are compelling reasons to reconsider the validity of this PCN, and I wish to present my case for your review.

1. Height of Signage:  the signpost for the restriction on vehicles entering a pedestrian zone is notably taller than the surrounding signs. (attached please find the photographic evidence) This elevated height presents a safety concern for drivers. It is not at eye level, meaning I would have to take my eye off the road or have to stop to read the sign. Furthermore, to mitigate the glare from the sun, I have lowered my sun visors, inadvertently missing the sign.
I contend that the excessive height of the signpost contributes to reduced visibility. I urge to reevaluate the appropriateness of the signage's height, especially in consideration of the potential safety hazards it poses.

2. Sign Placement and No Warning: The sign is positioned in the middle of the road without prior warning. I entered the pedestrian zone unintentionally, as there was no prior indication or warning that I was approaching such a restricted zone. I visited this location again after receiving this PCN and can confirm there are no warnings. This lack of warning signs left me with no opportunity to divert to an alternative route.
I request to reevaluate this signage to ensure that drivers are adequately informed of the restrictions ahead. Without adequate warning, it is easy for drivers to inadvertently enter the prohibited area unknowingly.

3. Clock Time Discrepancy: The clock in my vehicle was set to GMT0 time and did not automatically adjust to British Summer Time. As a result, the time shown on my clock was incorrect, leading to an unintended violation of the pedestrian zone time restriction.

In light of these circumstances, I respectfully request a thorough review of this representation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to a fair and equitable resolution.

"

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