Free Traffic Legal Advice

Dear all,

Please see attached today's images of the new signage relating to the restriction.
I believe this may been replaced 3 to 4 weeks ago.
They have removed the red sign and placed a new larger sign upon entry to Slough Lane.

I really hope someone can give me guidance and advice.
Or advice if this is worth taking further.

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Hi,

My apologies and I will keep this in mind next time.

Please see attached original PCN.

Registration: WA19 XMW



Below is my appeal representation: 

I am writing to appeal a PCN I received on the 30th July 2023. I was unaware of this change and futher more when I was driving through earlier in the day. I did not see any signage upon entering the road (slough lane) from Salmon street/the barriers. 

I have now been made aware by one of the traffic wardens on Kingsbury high road that this restriction has been in place with cameras between December/January 2023.

I visited this location again after recieveing this PCN and can confirm there are no warnings or signage from the top entry point from salmon Street roundabout until 3/4 of the way down and this sign was obstructed with a parked white van.
(please see attached image).

This was the first time I travelled this route after a significant amount of time thus I was genuinely not aware of the implemented changes. 

Furthermore, I believe the signage is too high upon entry from Kingsbury high road and my focus on was the cars intending to turn right and other vehicles. (This location is a know hotspot of many vehicle collisions).

I personally do not look up at signage that is not at eye level when driving, as it would mean I would have to take my eye off the road or have to stop to read the sign.

It would not be deemed unreasonable for an ordinary person to be able to read this particular sign completely when approaching at a 4 way junction and cars always driving fast and recklessly.

The placement of red sign upon entering slough lane is on a street light to the left of the pavement, away from the road and on top of some hedges. This is not a common place to put restriction signs.

I agree with the purpose of the restriction and the safety for the pedestrians and children but there needs to be more and clear signage in this location.

Another issue I faced upon returning to the location is that the sign you have approaching stage lane is not fully facing the road thus people may assume it is a sign for pedestrians. (please see image attached). I am not sure if this has been tampered with but the positioning of signs intended for divers should be positioned in a way that will make it easier for all motorist to read.
None of the signs stated the exact restricted location or road - it stated ahead but that unfortunantly is not clear in relation to how far ahead or the road name.
Slough Lane merges into Salmon street and other side roads.

As a suggestion, you could potentially put an electric barrier and ANPR camera in this location that will only allow the correct people through, rather then this process unless all divers are fairly notified of the change or you place more signage/warning post ahead of the restricted area.

Please see attached images of the placement of the signage.

I would really appreciate if you could look into the points i habe raised above and would use your discretion and cancel this PCN.

Futhermore, I would appreciate before deciding on this PCN that you could kindly go to the location and drive at the permissible speed and decide if it is reasonable for someone to fully read a sign in a moving vehicle approaching at a box junction (4 way traffic).
There is only one sign just before this box junction and it can be easily missed unless you are stationary at a red light before the placement of the sign.

Kind regards,

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Video:



The Brent (Prescribed Routes) (Pedestrian & Cycle Zone) (No. 24) Traffic Order 2022

If you'd come to us at the start, we could have drafted representations based on an ambiguity in the PCN wording and the council would have likely failed to consider that, which would then give you grounds to appeal to the tribunal.

However it's now too late for any of that, and while we have the original ambiguity on the PCN, I would not recommend risking the full amount on that alone as I think you'd have less than a 50 / 50 chance of winning.

You have until Wednesday 20th to pay the discounted rate, if the PCN goes up to £130 before then you'd have a strong basis to appeal but barring that, it's probably best to pay the discount and put this behind you.