Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: sammiefields2512 on June 24, 2026, 10:26:11 am
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tincombe, thanks for spotting that, looks like a powerful argument. I managed to go there today and take some more pictures and a couple videos:
Images:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N_QDLCRbd8Kt4hgXV3UClfAfbl6H9LC2?usp=drive_link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N_QDLCRbd8Kt4hgXV3UClfAfbl6H9LC2?usp=drive_link)
Videos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h4xmvOa6fxa8ow3uyQMwGmPo869jI01x?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h4xmvOa6fxa8ow3uyQMwGmPo869jI01x?usp=sharing)
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Not that urgent because there's a glaring procedural error with the PCN, which states:
'Parked in a parking place or area not designed for that class of vehicle'
The mandated contravention description is:
Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle
Higher Suffix required to fully describe contravention
Setting aside for one moment that they've used the term 'designed' for 'designated', you might wonder why a motorist is entitled to know the suffix in order to fully describe the contravention.
The answer is that there is a smorgasbord of bays which may be designated as being reserved for specific classes of vehicle. Here are some with their suffix letter/number:
a) permit holder only electric vehicle charging bay
c) buses only
g) motorcycle bay
k) ambulance bay
w) e-scooter bay
y) electric solo motorcycle bay
0) local buses / trams only
1) electric vehicles bay
2) goods vehicle loading bays
3) bicycle bay
7) taxis only
8) zero emission capable taxis only
9) electric vehicle car club bay
I would make representations on the basis that there has been a procedural impropriety on the part of the authority. This arises because the PCN does not state correct grounds, contrary to the requirements of para. 2(c) of Schedule 2 to the General Regulations, which require a PCN to state:
c)the grounds on which the civil enforcement officer issuing the notice believes that a penalty charge is payable,
I refer you to the PCN which gives the following contravention description:
'Parked in a parking place or area not designed for that class of vehicle'
I have highlighted the terminological error which you will no doubt report to your IT colleagues.
The other material defect is that the description omits the 'higher suffix' which as you will know is required in order to, as the London Councils' published list of contraventions states, 'fully describe ]the] contravention'.
These are objective facts which cannot be finessed or denied by the authority.
The PCN fails to comply with mandatory requirements and therefore must be cancelled.
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The post on which the sign hangs is placed at the back of the footway, IMO clearly visible if you are standing on the footway and even if just paying lip service to a driver's obligations to look for a sign.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AdF1vgxz2vi3CDww7
But the restriction is new(post August 2025), so can you get clear photos of the parking place markings(which trigger a driver's obligation) and whether this is a stand-alone bay or adjoins others. A view from the Royal Mail side giving a landscape view would be useful.
And the 14-day risk-free period for submitting reps ends on 26th.
Thank you for your response. It is not a stand-alone bay, there are at least 3 joined bays, my car was parked in the middle bay. I live about a 20 minute drive away from the area, I'm not sure I'll be able to make it there to take more pics before the deadline on the 26th, but I'll try.
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Please post a GSV link to the exact location, please.
Google Streetview Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNHgzxGP19xzceSa8 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNHgzxGP19xzceSa8)
The signage and bays were not present when the Streetview pics were taken. My car was parked next to the drawing on the bicycle on the black wall to the right.
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The post on which the sign hangs is placed at the back of the footway, IMO clearly visible if you are standing on the footway and even if just paying lip service to a driver's obligations to look for a sign.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AdF1vgxz2vi3CDww7
But the restriction is new(post August 2025), so can you get clear photos of the parking place markings(which trigger a driver's obligation) and whether this is a stand-alone bay or adjoins others. A view from the Royal Mail side giving a landscape view would be useful.
And the 14-day risk-free period for submitting reps ends on 26th.
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Please post a GSV link to the exact location, please.
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Hi,
I am the registered keeper of this vehicle. The driver parked in a parking bay for a short while, it was night time, so they expected it was free.
There was a tree in the way of the signage, though the driver admits that if they looked harder they would have seen it.
I wonder if I could argue the following:
1. Obscured Signage
The signage is positioned directly behind a thick tree trunk and obscured by its lower leafy canopy. At 10:00 PM in the dark, it is practically invisible to an arriving driver. The CEO's own image of the signage is blurry.
2. Inadequate Consideration Time
The PCN states the vehicle was observed only from 22:01 to 22:03.
Because the sign was hidden behind a tree, a driver would need more than 120 seconds just to locate the pole in the dark and process the dual-restriction text on the signage (which switches rules at 5:30 PM). The driver was ticketed before they had a fair chance to read the obscured rules and leave.
(Sorry, can't get Google Drive images to show for some reason, please follow the links to view the images on Google Drive)
My Images:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xic5YvKb2-ljJEJuRsqMQISjUhrOdtaF?usp=drive_link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xic5YvKb2-ljJEJuRsqMQISjUhrOdtaF?usp=drive_link)
Parking Officer's images:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ANqGLSN_NpByNcCvOYp1uikgvl63R_Bs?usp=drive_link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ANqGLSN_NpByNcCvOYp1uikgvl63R_Bs?usp=drive_link)
Google Streetview Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNHgzxGP19xzceSa8 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNHgzxGP19xzceSa8)