Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: duckduck1 on July 05, 2025, 01:19:54 pm
-
PCN pl, both sides and unredacted.
-
Hi all,
I got a PCN from Shropshire Council for allegedly parking in a disabled bay without displaying a Blue Badge. But here’s the thing — the bay had no “DISABLED” marking on the road, and the signage was in a really poor position.
There was a small upright sign, but:
It was mounted low, on a wooden post, and set away from where you'd naturally look when parking.
You can’t see it properly from the driver’s side — I only noticed it after checking dashcam footage later.
To read it, you'd literally have to cross the road, which obviously isn't realistic or safe when parking.
The council rejected my informal appeal, saying the area is a Restricted Parking Zone, so they claim road markings aren’t needed, and that the sign is clear and compliant.
But from what I’ve read:
Even in an RPZ, signage has to be clear and visible from the vehicle (Traffic Signs Manual recommends signs be at least 2.1m high and visible from the bay).
Disabled bays are specific-use bays — they usually still need markings or very obvious signage (per TSRGD diagrams).
The CEO’s own photos were taken from the middle and adjacent side of the road, which kind of proves the sign isn’t visible from the actual bay, (I didn't cross the road, so was a bit oblivious, the worst thing is the CEO watched me park up, exit and walk away when they could have just took 5 seconds to say I wasn't suppose to park there and to move)
Just wondering — do I have a leg to stand on here, or should I just pay it and move on?
This is the bay in question, is it right the council is just making up their own rules when the TSRGD recommends how bays should be marked and signed ?
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@52.706989,-2.752497,284.81h,-12.73p,1z,OJcWrcacI-MegB7gdmoMCw
Reply -
"Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the above Penalty Charge Notice. Your challenge has been considered in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1991, taking into account the information given and the available evidence, including photographic evidence of the contravention."
"Having reviewed the photographic evidence, I can confirm that the vehicle was parked in a Disabled Badge Holders bay at the time of the contravention. The signage is visible, on wooden posts either side of the bay, and conforms to current guidance provided in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD)."
"The bay is located within a Restricted Parking Zone. Within these zones, road markings are not required; however, the restriction still applies and must be adhered to. Blue Badges must be displayed at all times."
"Whilst I appreciate that you may not have seen the signage, it is still the responsibility of the driver to check for signs when parking to ensure that a restriction is not in force."
Thanks duckee