Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Tod on June 22, 2025, 11:33:26 am
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Hackney has issues with its website so I would screenshot everything at all stages in the game.
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I am challenging the PCN because I did not not see the restriction signs owing to one sign being obstructed, and also because of the prevailing road conditions.
Please note I live in Basildon and am unfamiliar the area.
I have been been able to check the signs through a local contact and as you can see from your video the right hand sign was entirely blocked from view by a lorry on my approach, leaving only the left hand sign, which is located next to a bus stop sign and not so immediately visible.
As you can also see from the video, there were roadworks blocking one side of the road and I believe my attention was focused on safely navigating across the bridge
I feel it is unreasonable to enforce the contravention as the lorry was blocking one side, and also it was on the side turning through which one needs to escape from the restriction.
I appreciate the restriction is there for good reason and am upset I missed the one sign but hope you agree that the prevailing conditions warrant cancellation on this occasion.
I look forward to your positive reply.
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Thanks, no my son is not familiar with that area he lives in Basildon.
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I would send this.
Where is your son from - is Hackney unfamiliar territory.
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I am challenging the PCN because I did not not see the restriction signs owing to one sign being obstructed, and also because of the prevailing road conditions.
I have been been able to check the signs through a local contact and as you can see from your video the right hand sign was entirely blocked from view by a lorry on my approach, leaving only the left hand sign, which is located next to a bus stop sign and not so immediately visible.
As you can also see from the video, there were roadworks blocking one side of the road and I believe my attention was focused on safely navigating across the bridge
I feel it is unreasonable to enforce the contravention as the lorry was blocking one side, and also it was on the side turning through which one needs to escape from the restriction.
I appreciate the restriction is there for good reason and am upset I missed the one sign but hope you agree that the prevailing conditions warrant cancellation on this occasion.
I look forward to your positive reply.
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Will this work better?
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to formally challenge the issuance of Penalty Charge Notice [insert PCN number] issued on [insert date] at [insert location].
I respectfully ask that you consider the following mitigating circumstances which led to this unfortunate incident:
Obscured Signage: At the time, a large stationary truck was blocking the view of the restriction signs on the offside, making it extremely difficult to see and respond to the road restriction in advance.
Restricted Space to Turn Around: The same truck was also obstructing the side road, making it virtually impossible to safely turn around once I became aware of the situation. Proceeding forward was the only practical and safe option under the circumstances.
Roadworks Ahead: There were ongoing roadworks further ahead that restricted lane availability and added to the confusion of the road layout. This made navigating the area safely more challenging.
Genuine Mistake and Clean Record: I sincerely apologise for this mistake. I have a clean PCN record and have always made every effort to comply with road regulations. This was a one-off, unintentional error, and I will be extra cautious moving forward.
In light of these mitigating factors, I kindly request that you consider cancelling this PCN as a gesture of goodwill and understanding.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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For me, I don't think mentioning use of satnav is a good idea, because it shows the driver has become "robotised", and not paying attention to traffic signs.Use of satnavs in big cities is most unwise. Having said that, today I drover from one side of Stoke-on-Trent to the other and got a route out of my satnav on the car. However, I don't use it to get voice instructions, but look at the map display to see where to go and where I am, then a make sure I look at signs. SOT is awful to drive around BTW !!!
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Thanks so much. Regarding the mention of Waze, I included it because someone suggested it as a possible explanation. My son wasn’t actually aware of the signs at the time, but I included that point to help build a more compelling case.
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This needs tweaking.
I wouldn't mention Waze.
But you now say your son was aware of the restriction at some point - is this correct and what did he see?
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IMO, it scopes everything discussed and sets the right tone. Wait for others andI suggest submitting online no later than end of play Wed. 2 July.
When submitting, I suggest you write elsewhere then cut and paste into the narrative box, in this way you'd have a record of what you submitted.
Likelihood is a rejection. But local government, like God(and some think they are!), works in mysterious ways its wonders to perform.
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Thank you so much once again for helping us out. I've put together a draft and would really appreciate any feedback on whether it's good enough or if any edits are needed.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to formally challenge the issuance of Penalty Charge Notice [insert PCN number] issued on [insert date] at [insert location].
I respectfully ask that you consider the following mitigating and compelling circumstances which led to this unfortunate situation:
Navigation App Guidance: I was following directions from the Waze navigation app, which led me down the restricted route. I now understand this was incorrect, but I was unaware at the time and trying to follow the safest and most efficient route as indicated by the app.
Obscured Signage: At the time of the incident, a large truck was stationary and completely obscured the relevant traffic signage on the offside. This prevented me from seeing the restriction in place until it was too late.
Limited Ability to Turn Around: The same truck was also blocking the side road, making it very difficult—and unsafe—for me to turn around once I realized the error. I felt it was safer to proceed forward rather than risk an abrupt or unsafe maneuver.
Roadworks Ahead: There were active roadworks ahead, further complicating the road layout and visibility. These works blocked part of the lane, adding to the confusion and restricting available space for safe movement.
Genuine Apology and Clean Record: I am terribly sorry for this unintentional error. I have a clean PCN record and have always made a sincere effort to abide by road regulations. This was an honest mistake, and I will be more diligent in future to ensure full compliance with traffic restrictions.
In light of the above circumstances, I respectfully request that this PCN be cancelled as a gesture of goodwill and in recognition of the exceptional and mitigating factors.
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If only all photos were as clear!
OP, on the one hand and objectively we have two prominent, clear, compliant (with the underlying prohibition as far as we know) and prescribed traffic signs with personal observation regarding the presence of advance warning signs on all approaches.
On the other the driver was 'following Waze blindly' and a video showing, at best, that the sign on the offside might have been obscured but on the nearside totally unobstructed.
It's always worthwhile submitting reps providing that the discount is re-offered because you might elicit a procedural flaw which would support what's known as a 'collateral' challenge(there are no statutory grounds of 'procedural impropriety'). If the driver didn't see the signs, then say so and try and explain in a way which would support a 'terribly sorry, clean PCN record, will be more diligent in the future' argument.
IMO, set your expectations at a reasonable level.
Post a draft and wait for views of others regarding procedural issues.
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Thank you so much for your efforts and help. Do you think we can have some good grounds to challenge the PCN?
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I was stunned by the heat but went out after 6pm and got these - if the right hand sign was obscured the left is close to a bus stop sign but is still visible.
Also it could have hard to turnaround if the truck was largely blocking the side road. There were also roadworks ahead (these were now behind where I took the shots, blocking the right hand lane).
As Isaid there are advance traffic signs on all three approaches but I didn't check these.
(https://i.ibb.co/ZzdNZcPc/PXL-20250629-173137511.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/whBX7SWm/PXL-20250629-173148911.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/fVBGpXXk/PXL-20250629-173151764.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ccXk9BFr/PXL-20250629-173234534.jpg)
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Were you able to see the signs? We'll wait another day before we proceed.
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This is on one of my regular cycle routes so will check over weekend.
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We're mixing current conditions with 3-years old GSV.
The planters aren't in situ in the video, when the car drove past the bus stop(which is where one of the planters is seen in GSV) it's adjacent to the kerb which would be impossible if the planter(and its integral sign) were as per GSV.
Do we have any current info on the entry signage?
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Thanks for the update. Given the possibility that the truck may have obscured the sign, do you think it's worth waiting to see the evidence from Hackney, or should we go ahead and challenge the PCN now? We have few more days since the date we received the PCN is 19/06
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Looks like truck may have obscured the right hand sign and Hackney would need to provide recent pictures of signage.
There are advance traffic signs on all approaches.
We've seen cases coming the other way and the signage is solid.
I don't know if we have any PCN/website issues with Hackney - Hippo will know.
(https://i.ibb.co/1CGmw8N/hack-ezgif-com-video-to-gif-converter.gif)
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Hi everyone,
My son recently received a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) after following Waze blindly. We're not sure if there's anything that can be done about it. Has anyone experienced something similar or have any advice?
Thanks in advance for your help!
https://imgur.com/tD83IKj
https://imgur.com/uGaCjHb
https://imgur.com/1L3S3xg
https://imgur.com/GqRczsl