Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi FTLA forum,



Thank you for your time and help.


I have read rules and guidelines on posting have tried my very best to follow and format accordingly.

Any issues please let me know and I'll sort them as quickly as possible.

Basic outline.
I am permanently disabled and held a blue badge since my medical discharge form the army.
Was just another day. I parked in a disabled space and displayed my blue badge as normal.
I came back to my car with a ticket on the window.
I honestly just thought it was a mistake but came to realization my blue badge had expired the day before.
I was hoping as it a genuine error on my part and my entitlement to scheme isn't in question I could have the PCN invalidated.

I just honestly have no idea where to start and was advised to ask here by a family member.

Thank you again for any help and advice in advance.


Rusty

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Thank you very much for your speedy response.

The Council's photo of the car park terms and conditions is too out of focus to read.
Do you know if the car park is free of charge to BB holders?

Yes it free to blue badge holders.

Had you applied to have the BB renewed before the 1st May 2025? If not, then have you now done so?

I reapplied/renewed when I got home on the 2nd straight after the ticket. We rely on the badge.

It can take upto three months to renew a BB. This is not down to the Government application site or the agency that issues the badges. It's entirely down to delays with the local authorities that have to approve the applications. Staff shortages due to cost saving measures.

Yea we were informed it could take 12 weeks. Normally I get a certificate of entitlement from pip review which reminds us to renew badge but this time they are so busy they extended pip without reissue of certifcate which I am chasing up.

It's certainly worth having a go at mitigation. Get your informal challenge letter delivered to the Council on or before Thurs the 15th May and they will likely re-offer the discount if they refuse. You can probably do it online.

Ok. I didn't want to mess this up so wanted advice first. Thank you

An informal representation along the lines of:

I'm a disabled armed forces veteran. I'm terribly sorry. I'm horrified that I made an honest mistake, could happen to anyone. I accidentally let my blue badge expire. It was only expired by one day and I'm still entitled to a Blue Badge and the renewal was/is in progress.  There was no intent to evade a parking charge. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. And so on in the same vein. Please use your discretion to cancel the PCN on this occasion. Enclose or upload a photocopy/image scans of both sides of the (expired) BB.

Good luck and please report back when you get a response which might take several weeks.

Thank you very much for the example text, Ill get that away now. and I'll keep you apprised of progress or results.
Gratefully Rusty

Thank you for reply.
I have just wrote an email. drafted at the moment. I also got in touch with my social worker team (Sunderland) that issue the blue badge and they have rushed through a replacement blue badge. So only 14days max for replacement instead of 12 weeks. I am so happy about that as it was going to be a tough time with out it.
Below is the draft minis name and address if anyone wish to critique.
So should I hold off sending ?
NAME
ADRESS
ADRESS
ADRESS
CONTACT NUMBER
06/05/2025

Parking Services Team
South Tyneside Council
South Shields Town Hall
Westoe Road
NE33 2RL

Re: Appeal Against Penalty Charge Notice TY50958167 Vehicle Reg MW59 DSZ
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to appeal the above Penalty Charge Notice issued on 02/05/2025. I am a veteran of the Armed Forces and live with permanent disabilities. I am deeply sorry for any inconvenience this situation may have caused and wish to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

I was shocked and horrified to learn that my Blue Badge had expired. I only became aware of this when I received the PCN - had I known earlier, I would have taken immediate action. As soon as I got home and realised what had happened, I applied straight away for a renewal, which is now in progress. I remain fully entitled to a Blue Badge, and this was an honest and unintentional mistake.

There was no attempt to misuse the scheme or avoid paying a parking charge. I take full responsibility for the oversight and assure you it will not happen again.

I kindly ask you to use your discretion to cancel the PCN on this occasion, given the circumstances and the fact that I took immediate action once I was made aware. I have enclosed scans/photos of both sides of the expired Blue Badge, My Veterans ID, and a copy of the application email (dated) for your reference.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,
NAME