Ah yes but 17 July is holiday time in my book and even if it wasn't the signage is defective at any time.
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Case reference 2240530827
Appellant Rodney Quinn
Authority London Borough of Redbridge
VRM NK18UJY
PCN Details
PCN AF99386799
Contravention date 21 Oct 2024
Contravention time 15:02:00
Contravention location Rutland Road
Penalty amount GBP 130.00
Contravention Fail comply restriction vehicles entering ped zone
Referral date -
Decision Date 19 Feb 2025
Adjudicator Andrew Harman
Appeal decision Appeal allowed
Direction cancel the Penalty Charge Notice.
Reasons The contravention alleged in these proceedings is that this vehicle failed to comply with a pedestrian zone restriction. The restriction is signed by regulatory signs posted on either side of the entrance to this road. There is a plate below each sign with the following wording thereon set against a blue background: 'School Streets Restricted Access Term time only'. The appellant thought that the restriction was not in force as he believed that it was outside school term times. I am satified on the council's case that it wasn't, but a motorist cannot be expected to know when driving whether or not a relevant date falls within school term times and I am not therefore satisfied that this restriction was clearly conveyed to the appellant. The contravention has not therefore be proved. I allow the appeal.
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Case reference 2250084692
Appellant Malcolm Batki
Authority London Borough of Redbridge
VRM YB73ZJN
PCN Details
PCN AF30296677
Contravention date 18 Dec 2024
Contravention time 15:01:00
Contravention location Ashford Road
Penalty amount GBP 130.00
Contravention Fail comply restriction vehicles entering ped zone
Referral date -
Decision Date 27 May 2025
Adjudicator Edward Houghton
Appeal decision Appeal allowed
Direction cancel the Penalty Charge Notice.
Reasons It seems to me that the Appellant’s contention as to the clarity of the signage is in one respect well founded.
Under the terms of the Traffic Management Order the restriction on the Zone sign applies on all days during the restricted hours. There is no limitation as to school term time nor does any such limitation appear on the Zone signs. The Council, however, has added a blue sign stating “School Streets Restricted Access Term time only” This non-statutory sign is intended no doubt to inform motorists that the Council, as matter of discretion, will not enforce the prohibition out of term time. However I agree with the Appellant that a motorist will not necessarily know what is and is not term time, particularly on a date so close to Christmas. For this reason, references to term time on signage have always been frowned upon in the Traffic Signs Manual. The addition of this sign inevitably undermines the clarity of the Zone sign which correctly reflects the TMO.
The site photographs show the presence of advance warning signs and, for the avoidance of doubt, had it not been for the presence of the blue signs I would have held that the signage is otherwise perfectly clear. Motorists cannot assume that because a route was open to them on a previous occasion that will never change. Evidence of the number of contraventions, requested under FO,I is of virtually no value unless one knows the converse (which in practice one never does) i.e. how many motorists found the signage clear and complied with it.
Nevertheless as I am not satisfied the signage was clear in its present form the Appeal must be allowed.
