Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello all,

I received a PCN yesterday, issued mere moments after I parked on Barkingside High Street. I parked my car and went to find the sign displaying the RingGo parking location code (7088 – Barkingside High St).

As shown on the PCN, the alleged contravention took place from 16:03 to 16:04. I have screenshot evidence from my Google timeline showing that I was still driving until 16:03, and recorded as “moving” between 16:03 and 16:05 – this was when I crossed the road to check the parking details.

I then started the RingGo session, which began at 16:07 (screenshot attached). The delay was due to poor mobile signal in the area, which made the process take a minute or two.

The PCN cites contravention code 11: parked without payment of the parking charge. This seems odd, given that the first hour is free in this location.

I haven’t yet submitted a formal challenge to the council, but I fully intend to. My understanding is that drivers should be given a reasonable amount of time to park, locate the signage, and pay via the app (especially if signal issues cause delays).

- PCN image: https://imgur.com/a/tsMFVez

- Google street view of the location I parked (right outside Spice Hut): https://maps.app.goo.gl/kAVvmHu1KeWTskYX8

- Google maps timeline proof: https://imgur.com/a/fxMwCmU

- RingGo parking proof: https://imgur.com/a/VXmihJl

Apologies, the images don't seem to have embedded correctly so I've also posted the imgur link directly.

Thank you all very kindly for your help.

Redbridge have just started changing their location codes from specific bays to general areas. Same almost happened to me because I park on Adelaide Road IG1 commonly which was code 7136 (still shows in ringgo) but it is now 6081226 which covers "Ilford - outer". They expect the driver to check the sign every time you park but those that do it out of habit are at risk of getting a ticket now. Same here as Barkingside High Street used to be 7088 but now is 6081202.

Yes, Redbridge are moving to general codes that cover wider areas - I believe it is because by having the same code cover a wider area, they can somewhat prevent drivers moving cars to adjacent streets to get another free hours' parking.

Here is the TMO for Barkingside High Street:

https://store.traffweb.app/redbridge/documents/parkmap/sched/1.%20The%20Redbridge%20(Waiting,%20Loading,%20Stopping%20and%20Street%20Parking%20Places)%20Consolidation%20Order%202021.pdf

Question to OP is, did the new RingGo code cause you to double check that it was indeed genuine (I ask as when I first came across this new code yesterday near Ilford Town Centre, I had to double check it was genuine by walking along the road to check the other signs - the fact that the RingGo app was still showing the old codes in the "nearby" section is what threw me)?

Second point is, and this is based on a Redbridge PCN that I am currently challenging for a similar alleged contravention - the TMO states that there is no fee to pay for the first hour - therefore that contravention (11) could not have occurred - but then I think you will need to prove you stayed (or intended to) stay at in Parking Space for less than an hour.