3. Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
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Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
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Tower Hamlets, PCN TT61417967, parked in a restricted street (single yellow line), Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident, new car, new job


Hi everyone, I really need help. I'm a new resident, new driver, and I feel like the council has destroyed my trust in the system.

The background:

I recently bought a car for a new job that was due to start on 3rd May 2026

I live in Tower Hamlets and properly applied for and received a resident parking permit for Zone C4

I am a genuine resident, not someone from outside dumping a car

What happened:

On 27th April 2026, I parked my car on Pitsea Street, close to my address, within my permit zone

I checked the sign. It said "Permit holders or Pay by phone, Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm"

I had a valid permit. It was a Monday at 10:06am. I genuinely believed I was parked legally

I did not need to use my car again until the end of the week

I walked past the car on my normal walking route to the shops and tube station, but the car was parked just outside my peripheral view - I wasn't looking for it because I had no reason to believe anything was wrong

The shock:

On 30th April 2026 (Friday), I went to get my car

It was gone. I was in complete shock

I eventually found out Tower Hamlets had impounded my car

I had to pay Ł450 just to get my car back

I then discovered the council had issued 4 PCNs on 4 consecutive days (27th, 28th, 29th, 30th April)

I received absolutely NO contact from the council during this time - no letter, no call, nothing

I only found out about the PCNs after my car was already impounded

The PCN in question:

PCN Number: TT61417967

Date: 30/04/2026 at 10:06

Location: Pitsea Street

Contravention: Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours (single yellow line)

Why I believe the PCN and removal were wrong:

The signage was misleading

The sign at Pitsea Street (photos below) only mentions the permit bay

It says "Permit holders Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm"

There is NO yellow "No Waiting" time plate above it explaining the single yellow line restriction

I relied on that sign. It told me I could park with my permit

I am a genuine resident with a valid permit

This isn't an abandoned car or someone from outside the borough

The council could check my permit application to confirm I live here

I got the permit specifically for my new job

I received no warning

4 PCNs issued over 4 days

No phone call, no letter through my door

My first knowledge was my car being gone

If I had known on day 1, I would have moved it immediately

The removal was disproportionate

My car was not causing danger or obstruction

I am not a "persistent evader" - I'm a new resident who made an honest mistake

Removal was their first resort, not a last resort

Timing of my new job

My job started on 3rd May

I needed my car to start work

Having it impounded just days before my start date caused extreme stress and difficulty

What the council says:
They rejected my representations (Notice of Rejection dated 20 May 2026). They say:

My permit is only valid in marked bays

I am a "persistent evader" because I had 4 PCNs

Removal was legal under the London Local Authorities Act 2008

What I need to know:

Is the inadequate signage (no yellow "No Waiting" plate) a strong enough ground for appeal?

Does the fact I received no warning and only found out when my car was gone have any legal weight?

Can I challenge the "persistent evader" label given I'm a new resident and the PCNs were issued in 4 days before I could reasonably know?

Should I appeal to London Tribunals or try to negotiate a settlement first?

Photos:

Bay sign showing permit hours: https://imgpile.com/p/rdmNAHl#VcYdXAe

Pole showing NO yellow plate above: https://imgpile.com/p/rdmNAHl#FFX6kk1

Single yellow line on road: https://imgpile.com/p/rdmNAHl#xWUSt6f

No waiting yellow plate https://imgpile.com/p/rdmNAHl#sWGNTLp

Location context:

Notice of Rejection:
00227960.pdf
Google Docs · drive.google.com


Google Street View of Pitsea Street: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qf1o3ggrsm9fpxni6

Documents I have:

PCN TT61417967

Notice of Rejection dated 20 May 2026

Photos taken at the location

Proof of resident permit

Proof of new job start date (3rd May)

Thank you for any advice. I honestly can't believe this has happened. I just wanted to park near my home for my new job.

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Re: Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
« Reply #1 on: »
You parked on the yellow line, not in the bay covered by the sign, so got four PCNs, so one of the PCNs is correct, because no resident permit anywhere in the UK  covers yellow lines, single or double. What made you think your permit allowed you to park anywhere?

You say four PCNs were served, but the letter from Tower Hamlets only covers one. Did you submit representations against the others or just pay them ?

As for going to London Tribunals, there is no additional money at risk, because you have already paid the PCN and removal fees, but I can't see a win on this one PCN. You need to combine this one with the others but you've not told us anything about these, so please do so. Was the car served with four PCNs whilst it remained parked, then towed after the last one was served. You need to tell us more about the circumstances. It is very clear you have a lack of knowledge of UK parking law and regulations.  There is probably no sign for the yellow line you parked on because the street is within a Controlled Parking Zone where the restrictions are on signs at the entrances to the zone.

Anyway, it's late, (02.33 as I type) so I'll stop now. Others will no doubt comment.
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Re: Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
« Reply #2 on: »
Thank you for your prompt response.  :) I have two key updates that I'd like to ask about.

1. Clarification on the PCNs: To confirm, all four PCNs are linked to the same incident and the eventual removal of my car, and all are currently being challenged.
2. Confirmation of the Parking Situation: The marked bays were occupied, so I had to park on the single yellow line adjacent to them. This means my case involves the "hybrid bay" situation described in the Brady St code 01 thread, where an FTLA expert noted the absence of a proper "No Waiting" plate. I believe this is a key issue.

I would be grateful for any advice on how to proceed. Thank you
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Re: Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
« Reply #3 on: »
You just parked on a yellow line.

The council is entitled to impound the car and indeed we like it when they do so rather than issue a dozen PCNs.

You can appeal the PCN linked to the removal and the removal itself to the tribunal at no cost but you won't win unless we can see a mistake by TH.

You have three other PCNs for Pitsea Street currently at discount - you could ask for discretion on these given the removal. They are not a continuous contravention but that point can be made.

You also have a PCN issued 3 May for Pitsea Estate.




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Re: Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
« Reply #4 on: »
Unrelated to the PCN's, but don't forget to update your address on the V5C document!
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Re: Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job
« Reply #5 on: »
As I understand it, the TMA does not make provision for the removal of a vehicle, these are the RTRA and Removal and Disposal etc. Regs.

s101A of the RTRA provides:

Right of owner to recover vehicle or proceeds of sale
(1)If before a vehicle is disposed of by an authority under section 101 above it is claimed by a person who—

(a)satisfies the authority that he is its owner, and

(b)pays the relevant charges,

the authority shall permit him to remove the vehicle from their custody within such period as they may specify or, in the case of an authority other than a local authority, as may be prescribed.

(3)In the case of a vehicle found in an area that is a civil enforcement area for parking contraventions, the relevant charges are—

(a)any penalty charge payable in respect of the parking of the vehicle in the place from which it was removed,

(b)such unpaid earlier penalty charges relating to the vehicle as may be prescribed, and

(c)such sums in respect of the removal and storage of the vehicle—

(i)as the authority may require in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, or

(ii)in the case of an authority other than a local authority, as may be prescribed.

IMO, as the authority did not require payment of 'unpaid earlier penalty charges..' when the vehicle was released then they may not do so subsequently. IMO, that ship has sailed.

OP, as per others I think your arguments are totally misplaced so can we get to grips with procedure please.

Pl post the PCN in question and all docs you received when you collected the vehicle. I suggest you also read Part 4 of the Appeals Regs:

The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Representations and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2022
These Regulations make provision entitling persons—who are or may be liable to pay penalty charges in respect of parking contraventions (in and outside Greater London), bus lane contraventions ou...
legislation.gov.uk


(which confirms the legislation under which a vehicle may be removed and relevant charges demanded before release!).
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  3. Pitsea Street - vehicle removed, 4 PCNs in 4 days without me knowing, new resident permit , new car, new job