Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Carpenter on November 06, 2025, 05:52:28 pm
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Thank you for the answer. I agree it sounds unlikely to have any ground for appeal.
Could I just potentially appeal by asking for proof that the sign was there before I parked? In the odd case that it was not there, or they did not keep a record of when it was put up. This would mean if they have proof, I'll happily pay, but if not, I could be off the hook? As a last attempt.
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So, you parked in a marked-out bay, and the sign suspending parking was on a lamppost right beside your car. I'm afraid stating that you didn't see the sign, will stretch your credibility with an adjudicator. Of course, it was dark, although with streetlights, and you got home no doubt tired and ready for bed, but this argument won't get the PCN cancelled, I'm afraid.
However, the suspension sign was on a lamppost, and there is a parking restrictions sign for the bay a bit futher along. The suspension sign should have been mounted on the pole holding this sign. Was there a sign there as well ? If not, they have failed to sign the suspension correctly, but to win on this you'd need to take them to London Tribunals with the full PCN penalty in play. The adjudicator might well say that if you can't read a sign right by your car, whould you have seen a sign on the correct place ? So not a guaranteed win.
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Hi everyone,
I received a PCN and we’re now close to the 14-day deadline for the discounted rate. I still haven’t received anything in the post, so I wanted to ask for advice before that period runs out.
What happened:
I had been abroad for a few days and returned late at night from the airport. I parked on the usual street where I hold a valid permit. It was dark, late and I didn’t see any signs indicating a temporary parking suspension. The next morning, I found the PCN on my windscreen. Thames Water were on the street that day, and I then noticed a suspension sign attached to the lamp post.
I’ve attached the PCN and photos showing where my car was parked and the surrounding area. I don’t understand how my vehicle was obstructing any works and I genuinely didn’t see any notice of the suspension when I parked.
Any advice on how to proceed or whether I have grounds to challenge this would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
Picture 1: PCN
Picture 2: Just before moving my car after receiving the PCN - can see the works in the mirror and no PCN on the car accross the road despite the cone the next day
Picture 3: Where I parked circled in blue, photo taken the next day, they've added cones and we can see the signage on the lamp post
StreetView:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DskRpgtw4jTbufFT8
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/nplJIpp_xl.jpeg)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/ZF3ZV15_xl.jpeg)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/t6CCbgB_xl.jpeg)