Please see the link below for the rejection letter I received from Reading Borough Council
https://imgur.com/a/JDoDSpI I’ve also drafted an appeal below to the adjudicator. I would really appreciate it if anyone could let me know
Do I stand a good chance of winning this at the tribunal? Is my appeal strong, or does it need improvement?
If not am I still within the 14-day discount period?
The rejection letter is dated 9th September, but I only received it on 12th September, so I’m not sure if the discount window has closed or not.
Adding Reading Council rejection incase the above link is not clear-
Applying Discretion:
I have considered the representations and reviewed the time and date stamped footage recorded by the CCTV car at the time of the contravention. I can confirm that the above noted vehicle was stopped where prohibited on a red route. The area where your vehicle was stopped was subject to a 'No Waiting restriction. The restriction is applicable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the driver's responsibility to act upon information given to them through traffic signs and road markings, as stipulated in the Highway Code. With regards to your correspondence, the CCTV footage clearly shows the vehicle had stopped. It also
shows the vehicle was causing an obstruction as the CCTV car had to pull out into the opposite lane to get pass the vehicle. Furthermore, the CCTV footage shows there is no available parking space and no evidence that one is about to become available. Applying discretion when reviewing representations against a PCN requires consideration of both the points raised against the issue of the PCN as well as the evidence recorded at the time of the contravention. A judgement is made on the evidence and a decision made accordingly. The decision can be to either cancel the charge or continue pursue payment. Reading Borough Council has exercised discretion when considering your representation and has made a decision not to cancel the PCN. Your representation has been considered by this office in accordance with the requirement of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (as amended), but after full consideration of the representations made and all other circumstances relating to the issue of Penalty Charge Notice, I have to advise you that grounds for representation against the Penalty Charge Notice have not been established. This Notice is issued as a formal Notice of rejection under Part 6, Section 80 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and Regulation 6 of The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022.
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My Appeal to the adjudicator.
I am appealing the rejection of PCN RG84267225 issued by Reading Borough Council on the grounds that no contravention occurred and the vehicle was not stopped in contravention of the red route regulations.
1. Lawful and Exempt Stop to Execute Parking Manoeuvre
At the time in question, I stopped briefly adjacent to a marked red route parking bay in order to safely reverse into an available parking space. This stop was made as part of a lawful and necessary manoeuvre, and such stops are recognised as exempt from enforcement under Transport for London and general red route enforcement guidance.
I had signalled my intention to park, and paused briefly only because the space was still occupied by another vehicle at the time. As soon as it moved, I would have completed the manoeuvre safely.
2. Evidence Contradicts Council’s Justification
The council claimed in their Notice of Rejection that: There is no available parking space and no evidence that one is about to become available.
However, the council's own CCTV evidence clearly shows the brake lights of a vehicle occupying the space, confirming that: A space was present, just not immediately accessible.My stop was in direct relation to that space becoming available.
This detail directly supports my version of events and undermines the council’s claim.
3. Brief Stop, No Obstruction
My vehicle was stationary only momentarily and did not cause an obstruction. Traffic could continue, and there were no “Keep Clear” or other safety-critical markings in the area. The stop was made with full regard for safety and good driving practice.
4. Disproportionate Enforcement
The council relied on very limited CCTV evidence — a brief clip showing my vehicle stopped without context of what occurred before or after. There is no evidence of prolonged stopping, idling, or abandoning the vehicle. The enforcement action is disproportionate in this case and contrary to the spirit of fair and evidence-based enforcement.
I respectfully request that the adjudicator consider:
The evidence of brake lights in the intended parking space,
The lawful nature of my brief stop, and
The lack of substantive evidence supporting the council’s position.
This was not a contravention, and I ask that the PCN be cancelled.
Supporting Evidence:The first image from CCTV showing the brake lights of the vehicle occupying the parking bay.
