Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all, would be grateful for any help. PCN issued 8/9/25, the driver did park in a residents bay and put a blue disabled badge (which belonged to a friend he was with) on the dash. The driver wasn't aware that the blue badge scheme did not operate in Westminster and the friend also said they didn't realise that was the case as they rarely travelled to that borough. The driver realises that argument is very likely a non starter with Westminster, but just wondered if the four photo's shown on their website fail to show the car parked in contravention as they don't show any sign showing the type of bay or restriction near or away from the car and just show the car that could be parked anywhere really.

Any chance there's a valid point of appeal here?

Thanks.

Sorry, my mistake.

Photos are not a legal requirement within the regulations under the Traffic Management Act; essentially it is who the adjudicator believes based on the civil law test of "on the balance of probabilities". Of course, nowadays, councils get their CEOs to take photos and these are normally viewable on their webpages on quotation of the PCN Number and the car registration mark.

Here I think that balance lies on the council side. Why ? Because the location shown on GSV is of a clearly marked bay, with a sign at one end saying "Resident permit holders only, Mon-Fri 8.30am to 6.30pm. Even if you parked right at the other end of the bay you are under a duty as a motorist parking there, to determine what, if any, restrictions apply to that bay.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QtEUh7FfH6AFGBep6

Having said all the above, I suggest you submit representations on a non-confrontational basis asking for mitigation, based on both you and your companion not visiting Westminster very often, and didn't realise that BBs were not valide for use in their resident bays. You may get lucky, you may not.

This is beyond spooky! I also received a 12R PCN from Westminster council
 . . .

Any advice/help, gratefully received.

For your case, please start your own thread in the usual way:

https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/

This is unfortunate but in the absence of a policy for leniency on a first strike - we don't have Westminster's policy if it has one - they can apply discretion as they want.

You could ask them for their policy - I think a council of this magnitude should have one - and remind them of duty of fairness especially for BB holders.

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated. Guess that must be the reason otherwise makes no sense!

This is all i found on their website, just going to have to pay up.

Their rejection letter is dated 2/10 so i have until 16/10 to pay reduced rate. No NTO received yet.

Sorry, yes i'm the registered keeper/DVLA has my details. Are you saying i still have a chance to fight this? Apologies, not clear on what you mean.