Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi,

was recorded by CCTV and sent a PCN for stopping in a loading bay on a red route on Kensington High Street outside Sainsbury's. I probably stayed there for about 5 minutes while my partner went inside to grab some groceries. While I (now) understand this isn't allowed there at any time, I'm a bit cross about getting a penalty for this since the sign indicating this restriction was turned around 180 degrees and was wholly facing the pavement at the time this happened. This can be seen on the photos taken by CCTV, comparing them to the GSV images at the same location. I geniunely thought it was OK to stop there since I didn't see a sign and there were no red or yellow lines indicating otherwise (the loading box is marked with white dashed lines).

Is there anything that can be done or is this a matter of just paying up at the reduced rate while I can?





Image showing the turned around sign:




GSV link showing the restriction sign in 2022: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bg2G5ySUfxS7iZTB6


Images from the PCN: https://imgur.com/a/gk2zsKi


Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks all who contribute here regularly