Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Danger_B on June 12, 2025, 08:37:34 pm
-
I've redrafted my appeal.
📄 Formal Representation – PCN PN22476421
To: Parking Enforcement Team, Newham Council
Vehicle Registration: EJ18 LJC
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write to formally challenge the issuance of Penalty Charge Notice PN22476421, dated 11 June 2025, for an alleged contravention on 5 May 2025 on Chestnut Avenue.
Following a detailed investigation into the signage and zone boundaries, I believe this PCN should be cancelled for the following reasons:
1. CPZ Entry Sign Was Obscured and Not Legible from the Road
Chestnut Avenue lies within the Forest Gate North Controlled Parking Zone (FGN). I entered the zone from Centre Road (A114) — a boundary entry point confirmed on Newham’s own CPZ map.
While there is technically a CPZ sign at this location, I revisited the area and took current photographs showing that the sign is almost entirely obscured by overgrown trees and foliage. From a driver’s perspective, the sign is not visible or legible at the point of entry.
According to The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, a traffic restriction is only enforceable when clearly conveyed by visible signage. The CPZ sign being hidden from view at the boundary means the restriction was not lawfully communicated. Therefore, the PCN should not have been issued.
2. PCN Was Not Found on Vehicle
Although the record may show that a PCN was issued and placed on the vehicle, no PCN was present on the windscreen when I returned to my car. I was completely unaware of any alleged contravention until I received the Notice to Owner by post.
This deprived me of the opportunity to respond promptly, gather evidence while fresh, or pay at the discounted rate. This was through no fault of my own, and I acted quickly once notified.
In fairness, I request that the discounted rate be reinstated.
3. Bank Holiday Monday
The alleged contravention occurred on 5 May 2025, which was the Early May Bank Holiday. In the absence of visible restriction signage or clear CPZ markings at entry, I genuinely believed that parking was permitted that day.
While I now understand that CPZ restrictions may apply on Bank Holidays, the combination of lack of visible signage and the public holiday context contributed to a reasonable and honest mistake.
Supporting Evidence Included
Screenshot of Newham CPZ map showing entry point at Centre Road (A114)
Current photographs from June 2025 showing the CPZ sign completely obscured by vegetation
Street view context images of the entry route
Prior photos confirming no time plates were present near the yellow line
In light of the above, I respectfully request that this PCN be cancelled due to inadequate and obscured signage at the zone boundary. In any case, I ask that the discounted rate of £80 be reinstated to allow for a fair resolution.
Please confirm that enforcement has been paused while this representation is under
-
Hi H C Andersen
Thank you for reviewing my post.
I've taken what you've said on board and re traced my entry point into the FGN CPZ.
I've included a diagram and it's from centre road / Woodford Road - At point A.
I've also been back down that street and the CPZ sign is not visable from the road when driving as it's restricted by overgrown trees. With this new evidence and as per your early point can assume this strengthens my case for cancellation the PCN?
https://imgur.com/a/BYsgyUN
Not signs at every entrance to every road, but signs at the vehicle entrances into the zone itself. NOT VISABLE FROM ROAD
2. No Time Plate or Local Signage by the Yellow Line
No such plate is required if CPZ signs are placed as above.
As above due to signs not being visable this point should stand?
3. Bank Holiday – Reasonable Belief Parking Was Permitted
Sorry, but as explained unless marked to the contrary, restrictions apply for all indicated days and times.
ok
4. PCN Was Not Present on Vehicle – Discount Should Apply
There's no 'should apply', they may or may not. It's their choice and they normally exercise this in the motorist's favour.
As long as you have a realistic expectation of their response - and are doing this as much to get the discount re-offered and a possibly flawed NOR as tbinking that they'll cancel- then fine.
-
1. Inadequate CPZ Signage at Point of Entry
While Chestnut Avenue falls within the Forest Gate North CPZ, I have revisited the location and confirmed that there were no Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) signs at the entry point to the street where I drove in. The absence of a CPZ sign at the point of entry means the restriction was not legally conveyed, in accordance with The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
Wrong.
From the regs:
A CPZ [an area]..into which each entrance for vehicular traffic has been indicated by the sign.
Not signs at every entrance to every road, but signs at the vehicle entrances into the zone itself.
2. No Time Plate or Local Signage by the Yellow Line
No such plate is required if CPZ signs are placed as above.
3. Bank Holiday – Reasonable Belief Parking Was Permitted
Sorry, but as explained unless marked to the contrary, restrictions apply for all indicated days and times.
4. PCN Was Not Present on Vehicle – Discount Should Apply
There's no 'should apply', they may or may not. It's their choice and they normally exercise this in the motorist's favour.
As long as you have a realistic expectation of their response - and are doing this as much to get the discount re-offered and a possibly flawed NOR as tbinking that they'll cancel- then fine.
-
Based your help I've drafted a new response.
Formal Representation Against PCN PN22476421
To: Parking Enforcement, Newham Council
Subject: Representation against PCN PN22476421
Vehicle Registration: EJ18 LJC
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write to formally challenge the issuance of Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) PN22476421, issued on 11 June 2025, for an alleged contravention on 5 May 2025 on Chestnut Avenue.
After reviewing the location and the signage, I believe this PCN was issued incorrectly and should be cancelled, for the following reasons:
1. Inadequate CPZ Signage at Point of Entry
While Chestnut Avenue falls within the Forest Gate North CPZ, I have revisited the location and confirmed that there were no Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) signs at the entry point to the street where I drove in. The absence of a CPZ sign at the point of entry means the restriction was not legally conveyed, in accordance with The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
I attach photographic evidence showing the entry to Chestnut Avenue, with no CPZ signage visible on either side of the road.
2. No Time Plate or Local Signage by the Yellow Line
There is no sign adjacent to the single yellow line where I parked that provides restriction times. The only nearby signs refer to permit parking and disabled bays — none relate to the single yellow line restriction.
In the absence of both a valid CPZ entry sign and local time plate, the restriction was not properly communicated and the PCN is therefore invalid.
3. Bank Holiday – Reasonable Belief Parking Was Permitted
The date of the alleged contravention (5 May 2025) was a public Bank Holiday. Without clear signage stating that restrictions apply on Bank Holidays, and based on my experience in boroughs such as Camden (where enforcement is suspended on Bank Holidays unless otherwise signed), I reasonably believed that parking was permitted on this date.
4. PCN Was Not Present on Vehicle – Discount Should Apply
Although your records show that a PCN was physically served on the vehicle, I did not find a PCN on the car when I returned. It may have been removed or blown away before I got back to the vehicle.
As a result, I only became aware of the charge upon receiving the postal Notice to Owner. I was therefore denied the opportunity to respond or pay within the 14-day discounted period through no fault of my own.
Given this, the £160 charge is unfair. I request that the original discounted amount of £80 be honoured, in line with the principles of fairness and natural justice.
Attached Evidence
IMG_6325 / IMG_6324 – No CPZ signage at street entry
IMG_6334 / IMG_6333 – No signage near the yellow line
IMG_6331 / IMG_6332 – Permit and disabled bay signs only, unrelated to yellow line
Given the absence of required signage, both at the CPZ entry and near the location, and the reasonable context of a Bank Holiday, I respectfully request that this PCN be cancelled. In any event, the full £160 charge is disproportionate and should not apply in circumstances where no physical notice was received.
Please confirm receipt of this representation and pause enforcement while it is under consideration.
Yours faithfully,
-
Thank you Incandescent for your response.
Based on your feedback I've taken photos of entry to the road and there are no signs at the entry point regarding parking restrictions.
Here is imagery of entry to one way street.
https://imgur.com/a/tc5xbM5
I've also taken photos around the yellow line which show no mention of either yellow line restrictions of bank holiday parking.
Here is photos of the signs around the yellow line.
https://imgur.com/a/zZwJCjo
Based on this should i update my appeal with this information?
-
It is very unusual for parking restriction signs to exclude bank holidays. We see a lot of OPs who have parked on bank holidays and got a PCN. It may well be that Camden doesn't enforce on bank holidays, but that is a concession. Do the parking restriction signs in Camden say Except Bank Holidays ? Show us a GSV view of one that does.
A quick search reveals that Chestnut Avenue is within Forest Gate North CPZ.
https://lbnewham.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6c213298647e4283a537266c72c1d086
Restricted times are Mon-Sat 8.00am to 6.30pm
This means there will be no signs by individual single yellow lines, but signs at the entrances to the zone. The huge size of this zone means they really should place repeater signs around the zone, but don't have to put them by every single yellow line. However, a search using GSV fails to show entry signs, but GSV may not be sufficiently up-to-date. What route did you take to get to Chestnut Avenue. If you can show you did not pass the CPZ entrance sign then there is no contravention.
-
To:
Parking Enforcement Team
Newham Council
Subject: Representation Against PCN PN22476421
Vehicle Registration: EJ18 LJC
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally challenge the issuance of Penalty Charge Notice PN22476421, dated 11 June 2025, relating to an alleged contravention that occurred on 5 May 2025 at Chestnut Avenue.
Grounds for Representation:
1. Unclear or Absent Signage Regarding Bank Holiday Restrictions
The alleged contravention took place on Early May Bank Holiday (5 May 2025). My vehicle was parked on a single yellow line, and there was no visible signage nearby indicating the specific hours of restriction or that restrictions would apply on Bank Holidays.
Having grown up in Camden, where yellow line restrictions do not typically apply on Bank Holidays unless clearly signed, I reasonably believed that parking was permitted on that day. Without clear and visible signage to the contrary, it is not reasonable to assume that restrictions would apply.
I request that you provide photographic evidence of any nearby signs that clearly:
Display the hours of restriction
State that restrictions apply even on Bank Holidays
2. Unaware of PCN Due to Missing Notice
Although your records show that a PCN was physically served on my vehicle, I did not find any notice on the windscreen when I returned to my car. It is possible that the notice was removed or blown away before I returned.
As a result, I was unaware that a PCN had been issued until I received the formal Notice to Owner. This meant I was denied the opportunity to respond sooner or take advantage of the reduced charge window.
Given the genuine confusion and lack of notice, I respectfully request that you reinstate the discounted rate (if the representation is rejected), in the interests of fairness.
Considering the unclear signage and the fact that this occurred on a public holiday, I believe this PCN was issued unfairly. I respectfully request that it be cancelled. Should you decide not to cancel it, I ask that you at least consider reinstating the discount period, as I was not aware of the notice due to circumstances beyond my control.
Please acknowledge receipt of this representation and confirm that all enforcement action is on hold pending review.
Yours faithfully,
-
I received a notice to the owner from Newham.
See attached.
01 - Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours
Based on evidence (attached) I've parked on on yellow line on a bank holiday.
The second problem i have is that there was no PCN attached to my vehicle that day.
Here is my suggested response, any advice on this would be appreciated?
https://imgur.com/a/uXB2Xba