Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi there,

Would be grateful for some help with this PCN.

The driver received a ticket for parking in a suspended bay, but the suspension sign next to the bay was completely blank — no dates, no times, no location details.

The CEO has taken a close‑up photo of a different suspension sign further down the road on the opposite side, which has all the details on it. This makes it look as though he ignored a clear sign. However, if you look carefully at the CEO’s wider photos, you can see the blank sign in the background on the same side of the road where the car was parked (I’ve circled in red) and uploaded a photo of the blank sign up close.

My understanding is that a driver is not expected to go searching for other signs across the road if the sign directly next to the bay is blank and contains no operative information.

I’d really appreciate guidance on the correct rulings so we can put together a solid appeal.

Thanks in advance.

https://ibb.co/VfkmRvq
https://ibb.co/1fYBv76B
https://ibb.co/SDcwFQcp
https://ibb.co/R47jhP7p
https://ibb.co/NdP2BhSn
https://ibb.co/F4h2QM8y
https://ibb.co/PsGXtr13
https://ibb.co/YzyWXCJ
https://ibb.co/B5pctrWj
https://ibb.co/3yf5zBKQ
https://ibb.co/Gq6WZ1L

Google map location:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mMFzHnUHTG6mnNhg9

Hi,

Rejection letter received today. See images below and the initial (lengthy) challenge sent.

https://ibb.co/MDqxCg4d
https://ibb.co/cSp53Gnp
https://ibb.co/9mztX1LT


I am challenging this PCN because the suspension was not properly signed.

The only suspension sign visible on the side of the road where the vehicle was parked had its entire information panel blanked out. It displayed no dates, times, location details, or extent of the suspension. A sign without operative information cannot convey a restriction.

I am attaching a photograph of the blank sign that was directly next to the vehicle and was the only visible sign when parking.

The detailed suspension sign photographed by the CEO was located on the opposite side of the road. A suspension sign only applies to the side of the street on which it is placed; it cannot apply across the road. The sign governing the side where the vehicle was parked was the blank, vandalised sign, which displayed no operative information. A motorist is entitled to rely on the signage on their side of the road and is not required to cross the street to check unrelated signs.

In the CEO’s wider‑angle photograph showing the rear of the vehicle, the blank sign is visible in the background directly in front of the vehicle on the same side of the road. This confirms that the sign governing this side had been vandalised. I am surprised that the correct procedure was not followed. Where a suspension sign has been vandalised, the CEO should report the damaged sign and refrain from issuing PCNs on that side until clear signage is restored. Instead, the CEO photographed the sign on the opposite side of the road, which cannot apply to the opposite side where the vehicle was parked.

As the restriction was not clearly or adequately communicated at the location of the vehicle, the alleged contravention did not occur. I request that the PCN be cancelled.


Any idea what happens next? Do we stand our ground as aforementioned or is it a possibility we may be rejected again and have to pay up?

Thanks for the help.