Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: beatthecase on October 24, 2025, 05:30:18 pm
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Are the name and address correct on the NTO?
Unless someone has anything else I would just send your challenge again.
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Pushing to get further responses
@cp8759
Please see the June 2025 update at the bottom of the page here (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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Let's see your challenge and their rejection letter in full.
There's no point in paying so you may as well just try again but the best outcome is probably recovering the discount.
Why did your phone run out? Have you thought about getting a an in-car gadget to charge it? Mine cost £1 and it plugs into any of three power ports in the car.
This was my challenge:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally challenge the above Penalty Charge Notice issued at Hainault Forest. I fully understand the importance of parking regulations and I normally take great care to follow them. However, I would respectfully ask that you reconsider this notice and exercise discretion in light of the circumstances.
On the day in question, I arrived at Hainault Forest intending to purchase a valid ticket straight away. Unfortunately my phone had no battery and when I was able to turn it back on, I also faced a short delay in regaining connection. As soon as I was able to do so, I immediately purchased a valid ticket which was obtained around fifteen minutes after parking and covered my stay in full. At no point was I attempting to evade payment and the fact that I did buy a ticket demonstrates my genuine intention to comply with the rules.
This is the first time I have ever received a PCN and I would ask that you take into account my clean record as a motorist who usually complies without issue. This was an isolated incident caused by unavoidable circumstances beyond my control, and it should not outweigh years of responsible compliance.
I would also draw your attention to the Council’s duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires enforcement to be fair, proportionate and not applied in a way that undermines public confidence. The statutory guidance makes clear that local authorities are expected to use discretion where there are genuine mitigating circumstances. Furthermore, Redbridge Council’s own guidance confirms that PCNs may be cancelled if there are “other compelling reasons”. The situation I faced, being temporarily unable to purchase a ticket due to a dead phone and lack of signal, yet paying promptly once able, is exactly such a compelling reason. The Council has suffered no loss, as the parking fee was paid in full, and enforcing a penalty in this case would be disproportionate.
In light of my first time offence, the genuine attempt to comply, the unavoidable nature of the delay, and your discretionary powers both under statute and your own policies, I respectfully request that you cancel this PCN. I trust that the Council will take a fair and reasonable approach and I am grateful for your time and consideration.
They did not provide me with a rejection, this was the only letter I have received.
It ran out because someone borrowed the cable and forgot to put it back, the wireless pad in the car doesnt work either.
Thanks
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Let's see your challenge and their rejection letter in full.
There's no point in paying so you may as well just try again but the best outcome is probably recovering the discount.
Why did your phone run out? Have you thought about getting a an in-car gadget to charge it? Mine cost £1 and it plugs into any of three power ports in the car.
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Pushing to get further responses
@cp8759
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Unfortunately, what you have told us comes under what is called "mitigation". Your phone ran out of battery power which is entirely down to you. SO instead of moving off, you went to find, and presumably buy, a battery charger, then once the phone was working again, you paid to park. The CEO observed your car from 15.21 to 15.22, then served a PCN. Your parking session started 14 minutes later.
You are essentially in the same situation as a person parking then finding insufficient/no change to put in the ticket machine, and goes for change. This was long ago disallowed as a reason for PCN cancellation, however on the other hand, time is always allowed in which to park and then pay to park. If it wasn't, nobody could park legally ! I don't think, though, that your going to charge your phone would be considered by an adjudicator as part of a normal interval between parking and making payment.
However, see what the others say.
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Hello lovely people,
Hope you’re all doing great.
I really need a bit of help with a parking ticket I got on 16 August — my first ever visit to Hainault Forest.
Here’s what happened: my phone completely died, so I couldn’t use the RingGo app to pay for parking straight away. I had to walk over to the café (quite far from the car) to find a charger. Once I managed to get my phone powered up, there were also issues with my network (Vodafone not being the best). I paid for parking — so I genuinely didn’t try to avoid paying.
I explained everything clearly in my appeal, including timestamps. I’ve now received the Notice to Owner, and it feels really unfair, especially since I did everything I could under the circumstances and the fact they didn't provide a notice of rejection.
On top of that, I have ADHD, which makes these situations a bit more overwhelming — I was trying my best to handle it properly.
If anyone can guide me on what to do next or share some advice, I’d be massively grateful. I’ve got all the details and proof ready if needed.
https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/0TU3boT_xl.jpg
https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/5Hg0TPq_xl.JPG
https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/wrU5URU_xl.JPEG
Thanks a million for your help! 🙏