Free Traffic Legal Advice

It's a permit parking area but if the single entry sign is this tiny I can see why you missed it. I wonder if it fails regulation.
I can see repeater signs in the PPA.



https://www.google.com/maps/@53.5119824,-2.1566355,3a,75y,48.13h,97.81t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sabrVlUOKAzfUXGwl-20k2g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-7.808020117869191%26panoid%3DabrVlUOKAzfUXGwl-20k2g%26yaw%3D48.12810903688949!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNjM5SAFQAw%3D%3D

Post the PCN both sides with no redactions.

For obvious reasons an old Maps view is often useless. Maybe you can go back and check signage as is now. 

Thank you both for your help.

I've returned to the site this morning, and taken the following image. As you can see, the sign is slightly more visible than the 2023 street view, but still fairly discrete for a sign which is the only indicator that you're entering a completely restricted area.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16aFx5_TiU2UP_tN-11eBwZ7_DIk8c3Ks/view?usp=sharing

I've also looked at my dash cam footage from yesterday, and discovered that there were two vans parked in the spaces yesterday, which are occupied by the blue focus and silver peugeot in the picture above. This made the sign almost impossible to see, and I have video evidence of this. I will definitely be challenging this, as Incandescent has said, it has clearly been set up to sting unsuspecting motorists. PCN images available below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aTp1egOMpk3PFmwryTed-npfQwszny9D/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X_JvIaeUIdDl9DQ2fWrz_81jM22FdJe3/view?usp=sharing

Okay please see draft below,

I am writing regarding PCN OD08221819, served on 01/04/2025, apparently on the grounds of 'Parked in Residents Area without clearly displaying a permit.' I was completely unaware that this area was under any parking restrictions, as can be seen from my attached images, there are no markings or signage of any kind in the area where my vehicle is parked which would alert me to this fact. (Images from the original post to be attached)

After revisiting the area, I have discovered that the only signs which would have indicated to me that I am entering a restricted parking area are: small, poorly maintained, and completely inadequate. On the date of the alleged contravention, I entered Mitre Street from it's junction with George Street. I would also note that George Street contains no parking restrictions for vehicles parked along its North side, but appears identical to the area in which I parked in terms of a lack of signage and road markings, further adding to the lack of clarity between the restricted and non-restricted parking zones within this area. I have since discovered that the only signage to establish the boundary between the unrestricted George Street and the restricted Mitre Street, is a small and heavily obscured sign on the East side of Mitre street. On the occasion on which the PCN was served, the sign was obscured by two large vehicles parked directly in front of it, meaning that it was almost completely unnoticeable from a passing vehicle, I have dashboard camera evidence of this fact. The sign itself is also woefully inadequate, so much so that I believe it does not meet the regulations set out in Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 3 Section 13.10, which would only deem a sign of such size suitable 'in an environmentally sensitive area where the road is very narrow.'

I would also argue that as the sign in question can be so easily obscured by parked vehicles and overgrown vegetation, that Oldham Council have failed to meet the standards set out in the LATOR Regulations 1996, Section 18 which states that 'the order making authority shall take such steps as are necessary to secure the maintenance of such signs for so long as the order remains in force.'

I would therefore argue that I am not liable for the PCN served on 01/04/2025 due to the insufficient and inadequate signage which Oldham Council have provided at the site. I also notice that your enforcement officer has not yet provided any photographic evidence that any alleged contravention has actually taken place.

Appeal rejected:

Dear Mr Trimble
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ACT 2004
PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE OD08221819
VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER L3DTO
DATE OF ISSUE 01/04/2025 at 11:50
I am in receipt of your correspondence regarding the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
The PCN was issued as the above vehicle parked in a residents or shared use parking place or zone
without clearly displaying either a permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place.
In your correspondence you state there were no markings or signage of any kind in the area you parked
to alert you to the fact that a permit was required. You also state that the signage present is inadequate
and does not meet regulatory standards.
A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) is indicated by signs on all entry points to the zone that state "Permit
holders parking only past this point". If the CPZ is not operational at all times, the times and days of
operation will also be stated on these signs. There are also smaller signs on lamp posts throughout the
CPZ which state "Permit holders only". All exit points from the CPZ are signed with time plates that
state "Permit parking ENDS".
There is no requirement within a CPZ for bay markings, and the CPZ is considered to be sufficiently
signed to indicate to a motorist that parking is for permit holders only. Whilst I acknowledge the images
you have provided a driver has the responsibility to ensure they fully check a location for restrictions
prior to parking. As a permit was not displayed, a concession to park was not granted, and there are no
grounds for cancelling the PCN.
I have inserted timed and dated images taken by the Civil Enforcement Officer:

You can still take advantage of the discounted charge of £35.00 if payment is made no later than the
last day of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which this letter was served.
Please see details of How to Pay at the end of this letter.


Their mentioning of 'a permit was not displayed, therefore there are no grounds for the PCN to be cancelled' is interesting as it was clearly never my argument that I had a permit, and it seems that OMBC are simply glossing over their woefully inadequate signage. They also state that the exits are signed with 'time plates' which is simply a work of fiction, as these do not exist.

Could anyone please advise if there is an appeals process beyond this, is traffic penalty tribunal an option, as I really resent having to pay this fine when it has clearly been setup to sting unsuspecting motorists. I will also attach below their, PEO's images.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PPZspnhavsv5KKqLNKPLUD9VzlbE1U5f/view?usp=sharing

There are actually two further stages if you're up for it. The next stage if you don't pay is to serve a Notice to Owner. This needs to be you to avoid complication, so please confirm you are the owner, and have the V5C Registration Certificate. Formal Reps can be submitted against the NtO, and if rejected, an appeal can be registered at London Tribunals. Going down this route means the discount option is lost, although many councils do re-offer it when reject formal reps, but there is no legal right to it at this stage

Their letter is total tosh, as explained by Stamfordman, so all you need do is now wait for the Notice to Owner, then update your original reps to include comment on their woeful ignorance of the law and the associated regulations.