Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: AWhit on May 18, 2026, 11:40:32 pm
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You need to post all the documents. Only redact name and address. If they're asking for £180, this is the full PCN penalty so you could register an appeal at London Tribunals, as the penalty does not increase, and there are no other costs.
Also read this, as I may have missed something out: -
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/
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Earlier this year I received a PCN from TFL for using the Blackwall Tunnel in one direction without paying in January 2026.
This was a genuine error as I was unaware a charge had been introduced and it had been a few years since I had used the tunnel.
I appealed on this basis, and that I believed there to be a grace period applicable, and also tried to offer a gesture of goodwill by signing up for Auto Pay to ensure it wouldn't happen again.
This was rejected, so I appealed again. This time I also included evidence that the sign posting on the approach route I took was either limited or non-existent and it was too easy for drivers to assume nothing had changed.
This was also rejected. They've given me 28 days to pay £180, with the threat of a 50% increase if I do not do so.
This all seems unreasonably punitive for what was a genuine error and it does seem designed to raise revenue from the unwary, but ignorance is no defence.
It seems will have no option but to pay up, but I will have to request to pay in instalments, although it seems this is not straight forward either.
Is there anything I've missed and have I run out of options?