Free Traffic Legal Advice

Thanks for the help and input, really useful! Here's a draft response which I'd appreciate feedback on or if there are any big tweaks to consider:

I am writing to formally contest Penalty Charge Notice issued on 10 March 2025 at High Street (WD). I believe this penalty is invalid for the following reasons:

1. Lack of Clear Location Information

The PCN states the location as "High Street (WD)", which is vague and unhelpful. Additionally, the video evidence provided only shows a nondescript section of road with the caption "LOC6991," which does not confirm the presence of a box junction or provide any meaningful location reference. I request clarification on exactly where the alleged contravention took place.

2. Failure to Demonstrate a Contravention

Having reviewed the video evidence frame by frame, there is no clear indication that my vehicle was stationary within a box junction. At no point are my brake lights illuminated while moving slowly, which suggests that my vehicle did not come to a complete stop. If the council claims otherwise, I request precise frame numbers where they believe this occurred.

3. Subject Access Request (SAR) for Evidence

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), I am making a formal Subject Access Request (SAR) for all data related to this alleged contravention

Please confirm receipt of this request and provide the information within the statutory timeframe.

4. No Clear Indication That I Would Need to Stop

When I entered the box junction, the vehicle in front of me was moving, and there was no stationary traffic ahead. Furthermore, there was no clear indication that pedestrians at a nearby crossing intended to step onto the road at that moment. The vehicle in front only stopped unexpectedly due to these pedestrians crossing, which was beyond my control. Given this, I had no reasonable way to anticipate that I would have to stop within the junction.

Given the lack of clear location details, the absence of conclusive evidence, and the failure to demonstrate a contravention, I request that this penalty be cancelled. If my representation is not accepted, I request a full response addressing each of the points above, particularly regarding the specific evidence relied upon.

Thanks for the help and input, really useful! Here's a draft response which I'd appreciate feedback on or if there are any big tweaks to consider:

I am writing to formally contest Penalty Charge Notice issued on 10 March 2025 at High Street (WD). I believe this penalty is invalid for the following reasons:

Who do you intend to send that to? I'm confused.
Because the deadline for representations was back in mid-April?

Unless I've missed a rejection somewhere? In whih case, if you want to pursue this, you need to register an appeal at London ribunals.

As DR600 said, this box and other(s have since been removed. I heard due to councillor pressure.
Perhaps Redbridge will not contest an appeal.

Quote from: Neil B on May 25, 2025, 10:25:08 pm

Who do you intend to send that to? I'm confused.

This is an old thread that's been bumped, the OP was in time to appeal when they posted 2 months ago.

Thanks, I see that now.

I appealed my PCN having been sent this for stopping on yellow box on 30 April and the box being removed w/c 12th May.  Redbridge Council rejected because I 'was observed entering and stopping the a box junction ...........'

From a post on social media, it was advised to write to Cllr Paul Canal.  He did take this up with Redbridge Council and just now this reply to his email has been received by me and others who appealed their PCN's due to the box being removed recently. 

Thank you for your email to Cllr Blackman regarding the former yellow box junction on Wanstead High Street and the associated Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

As all members have been advised by the council’s legal officers, Members are specifically excluded by legislation from becoming involved in the consideration of individual PCNs, I am therefore responding to the points you have raised.

The yellow box junctions installed on Wanstead High Street were fully compliant with national traffic signage regulations. All PCNs issued at these locations were lawful and correctly enforced under the Traffic Management Act and the relevant regulations in force at the time.

The decision to remove the boxes was taken solely on public safety grounds. As I explained in response to your email of 29 April 2025 the location was already under review prior to that point following a request from Cllr Jo Blackman earlier this year for a road safety audit.

The yellow boxes were effective in improving traffic flow, particularly for vehicles exiting side roads onto Wanstead High Street. However, a small number of drivers had been observed engaging in erratic and unsafe behaviour near the pedestrian crossing — including abrupt braking and swerving — apparently in an attempt to avoid receiving a PCN. While this behaviour was not necessary (the Highway Code makes clear that stopping in a yellow box to allow a pedestrian to cross is not an offence), the risk it posed was significant enough to warrant precautionary action. The Council therefore made the responsible decision to remove the markings.

The decision to remove the markings does not affect the legality or validity of any PCNs issued while the boxes were in place. A change to traffic restrictions at a given time or location does not invalidate previous enforcement. There is therefore no legal basis for cancelling or refunding PCNs, whether paid or outstanding. Any concerns about specific tickets issued should follow the formal appeals process.

This Council is one of the worst imo.