Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: JohnWick on April 18, 2026, 10:44:31 pm
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I received an email overnight confirming the hearing in March 2027, which I think is good news.
Do you think there's anything else for me to do at the moment? The hearing is currently 7 months away so quite a while to go.
Thank you for your help!
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One more update. I went back onto the London Tribunals site to double check I'd not inadvertently provided anything relating to the rescinded PCN and can confirm I didn't - everything I did provide relates correctly to the PCN being appealed against.
Interestingly the current status of the appeal is as follows:
"Status: Your appeal has been listed for hearing
Hearing date: Monday 22nd Mar 2027
Hearing type: Personal - video"
I'm not sure if that's a true reflection of the status, as I've not had an email confirmation of this.
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Hi John
The second question when registering an appeal on the London Tribunals site is "Which PCN do you want to appeal?" - I entered this correctly so I don't see why I would need to mention the PCN number within the text. There's also a verification code you need to enter which I would hope would be specific to the PCN you would be appealing against. I do not understand how the rescinded PCN has been linked to the PCN I'm appealing against. It's not something I need to solve, just seems very odd to me that it's happened. I'll wait for the result of the appeal which is still pending.
Thank you!
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Did you make it clear in attempting to register the appeal to which PCN you were referring? There is no PCN number in your text poated earlier.
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Hi there
I just received a reply from London Tribunals via email:
"Penalty Charge Notice no HZ95184031
Thank you for your correspondence dated 21/08/2026 relating to the Penalty Charge Notices above
Unfortunately, you have not provided enough information for us to be able to respond appropriately.
You may only appeal to the adjudicator if you have made formal representations to the Enforcement Authority (EA) and have received a Notice of Rejection in response.
If you receive a Notice of Rejection, you may either:
• Pay the penalty charge; or
• Make an appeal to the adjudicator within the time limit specified in the notice.
If you have received a Notice of Rejection and wish to appeal, you may do so through our website www.londontribunals.gov.uk or by posting your appeal to the address at the top of this letter.
If you appeal by post, you:
(a) must state the name and address of the appellant;
(b) may specify some other address as being the address at which the
appellant wishes documents to be sent to them in connection with the appeal;
(c) must state the Penalty Charge Notice number(s) and the date of the Notice of Rejection of each;
(d) must include the appellants signature.
The easiest way to provide all of this information is to include a copy of the Notice of Rejection with your appeal.
If the Enforcement Authority (EA) has issued you with a Charge Certificate, we are not able to register an appeal for you at this stage, and you will either need to
• Pay the increased penalty charge; or
• Await the issue of an Order for Recovery. This may be sent to you by the EA and will include information on how to make a Statutory Declaration/Witness Statement.
We will not take any further action in relation to these Penalty Charge Notices. However, PCN HZ9516212A is at appeal stage, and you will receive separate correspondence in due course.
Further information on the appeals process can be found on our website www.londontribunals.gov.uk
Yours sincerely
Case management team"
I'm slightly confused why they've emailed regarding PCN HZ95184031, as that was rescinded by LBHF, and wasn't part of my appeal. Have H&F somehow linked the two PCNs?
Thank you!
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Okay I've lodged the appeal & have included the text below.
The documents I've included are as follows:
- Enterprise Customer Letter Showing Correct Postcode
- PCN with incorrect postcode & 30 March 2026 delivery date
- TfL FOI-0743-2526 - advance signage and TMO consultation - this page: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0743-2526
- Enterprise email showing transfer of liability
Note I realised that they'd been sending both my PCNs and the Notice of Rejection to the incorrect postcode (should have ended in 8NQ, instead ended in 8NP). My postcode was correct with the hire company which I can prove.
"Request to accept appeal out of time
I respectfully request that the Adjudicator exercise their discretion to accept this appeal two days out of time.
The vehicle was a hire vehicle and my details were provided to the Enforcement Authority by Enterprise for the purpose of transferring liability. Enterprise's contemporaneous records show my postcode as ???8NQ. However, the Enforcement Authority addressed both the PCN and subsequently the Notice of Rejection to ???8NP. I have also since moved from that address. These circumstances caused a delay in the Notice of Rejection reaching me.
I have actively contested the PCN throughout and have submitted this appeal promptly. Given that the appeal is only two days late, and that the Notice of Rejection was addressed using an incorrect postcode, I respectfully ask the Adjudicator to allow this short extension so that the appeal can be determined on its merits.
I appeal on the grounds that the alleged contravention did not occur and that the penalty charge exceeded the amount applicable in the circumstances of the case.
1. Service of the PCN / statutory time limit
The alleged contravention occurred on 10 November 2025, but the PCN addressed to me was not served until approximately four months later. The vehicle was a hire vehicle. In an email dated 29 December 2025, which I have provided in evidence, Enterprise expressly confirmed that my details had been sent to the issuing authority for transfer of liability and reissue of the PCN.
I contend that the PCN served upon me was served outside the applicable statutory time limit.
The Notice of Rejection does not explain the chronology relied upon by the Authority. It merely states that the timescale of its “response to the hire company representation was reasonable” and compliant with the regulations. It does not identify when the hire company's representations were received, when the original PCN was cancelled, when the Authority became entitled to serve a PCN upon me, or the statutory provision under which it says service upon me approximately four months after the contravention was permitted.
I ask the Authority to establish in its evidence the complete statutory chronology and basis upon which the PCN was served.
2. Inadequate advance signage
The restriction was not adequately conveyed to a motorist approaching Rivercourt Road from the A4. The critical issue is not merely whether regulatory signs existed at the restriction, but whether adequate warning was provided before a driver committed to turning from the A4.
By the time the restriction signs become apparent to a driver entering Rivercourt Road, the driver has committed to leaving the A4 and there is no reasonable or safe opportunity to reverse onto the A4.
The need for adequate advance warning at this particular junction had previously been raised with H&F. In TfL's published response to FOI-0743-2526, issued in July 2025, TfL stated that this matter had been raised at a Borough Working Group meeting and that H&F ‘were asked to set up a warning sign on the A4’. I rely on this as evidence that the issue of advance warning had specifically arisen at this location, while recognising that the adequacy of the signage must ultimately be assessed as it existed on the date of the alleged contravention, 10 November 2025.
I have provided the TfL response in evidence.
3. TMO 2037 and consultation with TfL
I also maintain my representation concerning the statutory requirements applicable to TMO 2037 and its interaction with the A4/TLRN.
TfL's published response to FOI-0743-2526 states that its Streets Asset Operations team “did not receive any notice or correspondence” from H&F relating to TMO 2037. The Notice of Rejection does not substantively address this ground of my representations.
I reserve the right to provide further evidence and submissions following disclosure of the Enforcement Authority's evidence."
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Thanks John, appreciate the guidance here!
Unfortunately I've made a mistake and life's got in the way, and I'm yet to lodge my appeal. I'm outside the 28 day range (the rejection of representation letter is dated 22nd July though I didn't receive it for a few days after this). Can I still lodge the appeal with London Tribunals today?
Many thanks again for your help and guidance. I can lodge the appeal this evening if it's still worth doing.
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Thanks for the advice and apologies for the slow reply.
I'm going to go ahead and challenge at the London Tribunals.
Any advice for me on what I should actually be putting down as my argument here? I don't want to just repeat what I've said in my appeal if that's not appropriate.
Thank you!
First you must register your appeal with LT. Opt for a personal hearing (= by telephone or video - never ever go for a decision on papers). You can write something like I rely on my original representations - full submission to follow.
This will give you a couple of months to draft and fine-tune a good appeal.
Meantime re-read some of the links and threads I posted earlier.
Remember, although nothing is guaranteed, we know of no case involving this location where H&F have allowed it to reach a hearing, often folding at the very last minute.
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Thanks for the advice and apologies for the slow reply.
I'm going to go ahead and challenge at the London Tribunals.
Any advice for me on what I should actually be putting down as my argument here? I don't want to just repeat what I've said in my appeal if that's not appropriate.
Thank you!
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Your maximum possibe exposure is £160, because the £240 only applies when they serve a Chaarge Certificate.If you follow the process and lose at London Tribunals, the full PCN penalty is payable, and there are no additional costs whatsoever.
So far, H & F has never allowed a case for this location to get to London Tribunals, always DNCing when a case is registered. They know this is a disastrous scheme, and they would be panned at adjudication.
They state there is no time limit on responding to representations against a PCN, but there is their public duty in as a public body give penal powers to act fairly and promptly. London Tribunals consider a delay of over 3 months to be unfair.
I also notice their response does not respond to your point about the mandatory requirement for consultation on new Traffic Orders (Regulation 6 of LATOR 1996)
They claim the signage for the location is adequate and clear and complies with all regulations; what tosh !!
If it were me, I'd now be registering an appeal at London Tribunals. Yes, you have to risk an extra £80, but that is all.
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Hi there
I received a reply from LBHF today. They sent me a notice of rejection of representation on PCN HZ9516212A, though have apparently cancelled PCN HZ95184031.
Note I've only received this correspondence which mentions that PCN HZ95184031 is cancelled, but I haven't received any direct correspondence on that PCN confirming this.
Here's the full text: https://imgpile.com/p/dCKKvcU (https://imgpile.com/p/dCKKvcU)
What do you recommend as a next step? My initial thought is they've not really addressed any of the issues I raised, however what do you think my chance of winning would be if I were to go to appeal with the adjudicator?
If I were to pay in the next 14 days it would cost £80, then £160 from days 15-28, then £240 if paid day 29 onwards.
Thank you in advance for any help.
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Yes I received an email confirmation back on both PCNs. So now just a waiting game.
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Great, thank you. Confirming I've submitted representations on both PCNs. I'll report back here once I have an update.
Good. Have you confirmatioon that yout reps have been received?
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Great, thank you. Confirming I've submitted representations on both PCNs. I'll report back here once I have an update.
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Looks good to me. They should fold on the delay in serving the PCN. This does look like they are trying it on, knowing most people just cough-up when they get the PCN
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Thanks very much. Here's my draft on rejecting the PCNs on the following grounds:
"1. Procedural Impropriety: PCNs Served Out of Time
The alleged contraventions occurred in November 2025. However, these PCNs were not served until late March 2026 - a delay of over four months.
While I understand this was a hire vehicle, I have confirmed with the rental company that they processed the Transfer of Liability and provided my details to the Council on 21/11/2025. Under the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003, once the Council receives the hirer's details, they are required to serve a new PCN within a reasonable period (generally 28 days). A delay of nearly five months is excessive, violates the Council's duty to act with reasonable speed, and constitutes a procedural impropriety. As such, the PCNs should be cancelled immediately as they are served "out of time."
2. Inadequate Signage and Failure of Advance Warning
The signage at the junction of the A4 and Rivercourt Road is wholly inadequate and fails the test of "reasonable clarity" required by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD).
Approach from A4: The advance warning signs on the A4 are small, poorly positioned, and frequently obscured by high-volume traffic on this 40mph dual carriageway. A motorist focused on safe lane positioning cannot reasonably be expected to see, read, and comprehend these signs.
Point of No Return: The restriction signs at the entrance to Rivercourt Road itself are positioned such that they only become visible after a driver has already committed to the turn. Because Rivercourt Road is narrow and lacks a safe turning point (the proposed mini-roundabout and two-way layout are not yet implemented), a driver is forced to pass the signs once they have seen them. Attempting to reverse back onto the busy A4 would be a dangerous and illegal manoeuvre.
3. Failure to Consult (Statutory Breach)
I further contend that the Traffic Management Order (TMO) underpinning this restriction may be invalid. Under Regulation 6 of The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996, the Council has a statutory duty to consult with other highway authorities (in this case, Transport for London, as the authority for the A4) before implementing such an order. There is strong evidence to suggest that the Council failed to adequately consult or coordinate with TfL regarding the impact of this scheme on the A4 trunk road.
4. Request for Continuous Contravention Treatment
Should the Council reject the points above, I request that the two PCNs be treated as a continuous contravention. Both charges were incurred within a 24-hour period before I was notified of the first alleged offence. It is a well-established principle at the London Tribunals that a motorist should not be penalised multiple times for a single "error of understanding" before they have had the opportunity to rectify their behaviour.
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Given the extreme delay in service and the notorious inadequacy of the signage at this location, which has led to many similar cases being cancelled or folded by the Council at the Tribunal stage, I request that these PCNs be cancelled forthwith."
Do you think I should include a copy of the email/confirmation from the rental company regarding the date they transferred liability (21/11/2025), or should I wait for the Council to provide their evidence pack if they reject this?
Otherwise, any amendments suggested? Thank you very much for your help here.
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OK, so looking at your photos and videos, it's clear that the proposed new layout is not yet implemented, and the signs are the same useless ones that are easily missed.
So your reps should concentrate on inadequate signage of the restriction, and in addition, point out that H & F had a duty under Regulation 6 of The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 to consult with other highway authorities, before implementing the traffic order, but failed to do so.
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Here's a couple of photos and videos showing the approach to Rivercourt Road, plus the road itself:
https://imgpile.com/p/zGXqUWY
I can confirm there's no turning point, and it's currently impossible to return back onto the A4.
The 'advanced warning' signage is tiny and easily missed. As shown on the GSV images earlier, it's really easy for it to be obscured entirely by other traffic. The signage on the entrance to the road itself is seen too late for it to be of any effectiveness.
I can't speak to whether the signage has changed since the incident occurred, given it was so many months ago. The angle of the signage does appear to have changed compared to the GSV images but impossible to say when.
It seems there's multiple angles of defence here, how should I best go about this?
Thanks very much for any help and advice once again.
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Hi both
Here's an updated link for the image of the PCNs:
https://imgpile.com/p/qvhNRtS
Apologies for prior Imgur link.
Thank you very much for all the advice & context of this particular road.
I'll obtain photos of the road/signage tomorrow and will try to confirm if the implementation has changed.
My one comment on this is the implementation/signage may well have changed since the contravention, given it was months ago. I can't recall at all seeing any signage - as illustrated by those GSV links, they're not exactly obvious.
Apologies for the error on the thread title too - I'd used my prior post as an example and hadn't changed the road name in error. Thanks to John for correcting that.
I'll obtain the pictures of the road as a next step.
Thanks again.
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I only became aware of proposed alterations to Rivercourt Road in this thread, when the OP posted a council map of proposed changes.
It is clear that access off the A4 is to still continue, despite reverting Rivercourt Road to be two way. HOwever the council no doubt didn't want to upset the residents and also there is a need for access for emergency vehicles. If the installation is done well, a motorist turning in without the necessary permissions should be able to turn round and return to the A4 without passing restriction signs which need to be moved beyond the turning circle.
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The location is very well known on this forum and is notorious for being probably the worst and most dangerous restriction ever introduced in London. So bad that the person who signed it off should have been sacked long ago. It does seem from your posting of alterations to the restriction that some person with more sense has taken over to make it a bit better. I see Rivercourt Road is now to be two way, and a mini-roundabout is to be installed to allow people to turn round and, (presumably) return to the A4. I assume the actual restriction signs will be moved back to allow a motorist to turn round and return to the A4 in reasonable safety. However, we have not seen any of the signage associated with this change, and I don't expect Google Street View is yet up-to-date, assuming the new arrangements are now in force, but from your post, I suspect the original scheme is still in place
@Incandescent Have you a source for the further alterations you mention?.
. .
Also please tell us why you have typed "Monkleigh Road" in your heading, when the location from what your posted links, is Rivercourt Road ?
I've hopefully corrected the thread title.
@JohnWick As Incandescent says, this is well-known here. Have a look at these threads
https://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/rivercourt-road-the-tmo/msg80972/#msg80972
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/hammersmith-and-fulham-code-52m-failing-to-comply-with-a-prohibition-on-certain-/
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/52m-failing-to-comply-with-a-prohibition-on-certain-types-of-vehicle-rmv-riverco/
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/rivercourt-road-pcn-x2/
The last has links to other threads which are relevant.
Do you drive the A4 eastbound often? An important factor is the adequacy of the advance warning signs before the turn, and whether there have been any changes since last summer..
There was in May2025 talk of new signage - here
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/a4-and-rivercourt-road-low-traffic-neighbourhood
Our member, @Bustagate has also produced a useful set of notes -
https://www.busgates.uk/locations/rivercourt-road
AFAIK, no case has yet reached London Tribunals, with H&F folding, often at the very last moment. It's as if they are afraid of an adverse tribunak decision.
Please post up all sides of the PCN, (redact only yr name & address - leave all else in)
Before making any representations, post a draft here for constructive comment.
Open yr reps with the PCNs being out of time, as that would trump all other considerations.
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The process of transferring liability is that the hire company submit reps giving your name and address as the hirer on the day of the alleged contravention. The council then cancel the first PCN and then have 28 days to serve one on you.
So you should submit representations that the PCNs have been served out of time.
You need to use another hosting site because 'imgur' no longer serve the UK.
The location is very well known on this forum and is notorious for being probably the worst and most dangerous restriction ever introduced in London. So bad that the person who signed it off should have been sacked long ago. It does seem from your posting of alterations to the restriction that some person with more sense has taken over to make it a bit better. I see Rivercourt Road is now to be two way, and a mini-roundabout is to be installed to allow people to turn round and, (presumably) return to the A4. I assume the actual restriction signs will be moved back to allow a motorist to turn round and return to the A4 in reasonable safety. However, we have not seen any of the signage associated with this change, and I don't expect Google Street View is yet up-to-date, assuming the new arrangements are now in force, but from your post, I suspect the original scheme is still in place
The signage on the A4 is a total disgrace and one wonders at the sanity of the people in LBH&F's Highways Department. Just look at this temporary sign: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CBXYiQYaZrkA1s8e9
How on earth are you going to see that with the very heavy traffic on this road ? Then there is this other temporary sign again easy to miss and also its all text so one must know the street name.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ageYnNfkmpiAMN539
Its just insanity, pure and simple. But of course it's a nice little trap to get the PCN penalty money in.
Your GSV link shows the original very dangerous set-up, with the signs placed as you turn in off a 40mph busy A4. There is no means of turning round, and one must be force to pass the signs. LBH&F have never let this restriction get to adjudication, because I am certain they would be excoriated for its bovine stupidity and dangerous nature.
What we need are up-to-date photos of signage on the A4 on approach, and also the signs on entry; is the proposed alteration implemented or not.
Also please tell us why you have typed "Monkleigh Road" in your heading, when the location from what your posted links, is Rivercourt Road ?
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Hi there
Caught on CCTV driving on a restricted road, and have been issued with 2 x PCNs.
The contraventions took place in November '25, however the PCNs were only sent to me at the end of Mar '26. The vehicle in question was a hire vehicle. I've confirmed with the rental company that the initial PCNs were sent dated 19/11/2025, and that they processed the transfer of liability back to me on 21/11/2025.
I have a couple of issues:
* The signage is obscured until you've already turned onto the road in question (Google Maps link below)
* It's unclear to me why it would take >4 months to have the PCN sent out. It's difficult to remember the exact conditions at the time
* Can I receive a PCN for the same offence in roughly a 24 period here? It seems particularly harsh given the signage isn't clear
Imgur contains:
* PCN letters received from London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBH&F)
https://imgur.com/a/xhtiOwx
This gives an overview of where the alleged contraventions took place:
https://i0.wp.com/www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rivercourt-council-info-.jpg?ssl=1
Here's a view of the location on Google maps, illustrating how the signage isn't visible until you've already started turned onto the road (and off the A4) - trying to undo this manoeuvre would be dangerous:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.491361,-0.236318,3a,75y,8.52h,94.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sw9c1X9n5yG3HjfsKBs-s_A!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-4.295246794486772%26panoid%3Dw9c1X9n5yG3HjfsKBs-s_A%26yaw%3D8.515127818298538!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I can go and take a photo or video of the approach to the road if that would be in any way helpful.
Thanks very much for any help anyone can offer.