Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi! I received a PCN for a prohibited left turn. I was wondering if there are any grounds for representation in my case because the pictures do show that the 'no left turn' sign was partially blocked, at least from the angle of the camera. I never meant to break the rules deliberately, I am a new-ish driver an I was a bit lost late at night trying to get me and my friend back to where we were staying (I don't live in London). It probably explains why in the video I was indicating right before I turned left, I clearly meant to turn left based on my positioning.

There are a few things I'm worried about. I am outside of the UK until August so I'm worried that if I appeal, I would miss any further correspondence and potentially miss new payment deadlines if the appeal isn't accepted. I'm also not sure if I appeal and it gets rejected, if I would still have the opportunity to pay the 50% discounted charge, or if I would have to pay the full charge?

Here's the Google street view:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/s27E4RfSj5xvqu7s9

The PCN front and back:
https://imgur.com/a/pcn-wa34p38
https://imgur.com/a/pcn-back-PoI9QFv

Link to video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oGBJKOHQpS8YU9gbJOeDlgB1Xau33utz/view?usp=sharing

I appreciate any help, thank you!

I am outside of the UK until August so I'm worried that if I appeal, I would miss any further correspondence and potentially miss new payment deadlines if the appeal isn't accepted.

Please give the dates of your trip.

Apart from paying, you can submit representations within the discount period, to Westminster who will inevitably reject your reps. They then normally re-offer the discount, or the option of registering an appeal at London Tribunals. A period of 14 days will be allowed to pay the discount, but I'm not sure how long you get to either pay, (the full amount) or register an appeal at LT.

From what I can see, you might manage it by submitting your reps towards the end of the discount period. They then have to reply which could be a week or a month, one never knows. They have only erected a single sign, with nothing in the carriageway to indicate a left turn. The scaffolding and "hut" looks to have totally obscured their single sign.

Thank you for replying! So I'm already away now and I won't be back until the 10th of August.

Is it worth submitting a representation?

Ordinarly, it would be well worth submitting representations in view of the obscuration of the sole LH turn only sign, but if you've got nobody who can act for you whilst you are abroad, you could end up missing their response, and having to pay the full penalty

Make the representation on time on 17 july and then you can't miss the 28 days to appeal by the time you are back even if the rejection is instant, which it won't be.