Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: sausage1971 on November 17, 2025, 07:07:26 am
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Received the NTO from Camden dated 8/1/26 Link Below
https://ibb.co/Hp2GQkYq
Would appreciate thoughts on my formal appeal, thanks
I am making a formal appeal the issued PCN on the basis below
Contravention didn't occur: The act of not charging cannot apply to a non-permit holder as I was not entitled to park in this bay as I do not hold a resident's permit for this zone. A correct contravention would have been parked without a valid permit, which would also have been correct had I been charging
Contravention didn't occur: I was engaged in assisted alighting of my daughter from 20.20 and took only as only as long as necessary. My daughter is neurodiverse and was attending a concert as the Roundhouse with school friends. Her condition dictates that she needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult. I took her to the Roundhouse, made sure she got inside safely and handed her over to another responsible adult (another parent). When I returned to the car at circa 20.35 I saw the window ticket.
Camden's Traffic Order for the location states assisted alighting in this location as an exemption. This exemption includes assisted boarding or alighting where the driver needs to leave the vehicle, as long as the driver leaves the vehicle only for so long as is necessary to convey the passenger to the nearby premises where they are going and then returns to move his car without delay. This is what happened on this occasion Assisted alighting exemption does not require a blue badge but I am attaching my daughters Access Card and ticket for the for the event on the night on question. The access card is is proof of disability and shows the need for a companion
I trust you will cancel the PCN and send confirmation Thank you
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Thanks again
I think I will take the punt and wait for the NTK and make a formal appeal. I'm relatively confident that the evidence; ticket, proof of disability etc plus the Traffic Order would be strong enough to persuade them that I had a legitimate reason for being there.
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You need to decide if you want to punt £80, although they may well reoffer the discount if they reject at formal stage.
Assisted alighting in this case would have to satisfy an adjudicator should they reject on this and will turn on facts not an automatic exemption.
The wrong contravention is a binary - if it's wrong it can't be right. But hopefully someone else will look at this.
If it were me I think I'd go on with it as the rejection leaves avenues open.
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Thanks Stamfordman
I can provide evidence of attendance, evidence of disability; even a statement from the adult she attended with, bar that not too sure what else they would want??
I think the fact the traffic order allows assisted alighting in that locale would be a good enough reason for cancellation
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On the assisted alighting they look like they may be open to evidence if you can provide it.
On the contravention they look to have conceded it is a permit bay and the contravention is not having a permit and my point about the irrelevance of not charging stands.
See what others say but I'd go on with this.
(https://i.ibb.co/zWdxdZgJ/Camden-1.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/fYPpgf03/Camden-2.jpg)
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Would appreciate some assistance with formal appeal (if that's the right course to take) when I receive the NTO
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My appeal:
I am appealing the issued PCN on the basis below
Contravention didn't occur:
The act of not charging cannot apply to a non-permit holder as I was not entitled to park in this bay as I do not hold a resident's permit for this zone.
A correct contravention would have been parked without a valid permit, which would also have been correct had I been charging
Contravention didn't occur: I was engaged in assisted boarding of my daughter from 20.20 and took only as only as long as necessary.
My daughter is neurodiverse and was attending a concert as the Roundhouse with school friends. Her condition dictates that she needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult. I took her to the Roundhouse, made sure she got inside safely and handed her over to another responsible adult (another parent). When I returned to the car at circa 20.35 I saw the window ticket.
Camden's Traffic Order for the location states assisted alighting in this location as an exemption. This exemption includes assisted boarding or alighting where the driver needs to leave the vehicle, as long as the driver leaves the vehicle only for so long as is necessary to convey the passenger to the nearby premises where they are going and then returns to move his car without delay. This is what happened on this occasion
Assisted alighting exemption does not require a blue badge but I am attaching my daughters Access Card (details redacted) which is proof of disability and shows the need for a companion I trust you will cancel the PCN and send confirmation Thank you
Appeal Rejected Response below
https://ibb.co/WNhs17Fv
https://ibb.co/93H1xMhX
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Sorry, bit eager. I will update when I get a reply.
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You should have posted a draft.
To be clear, my view is that the wrong contravention was given. It could only have been Parked in a permit space or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where required.
Let's see what they come back with. It's only the informal challenge.
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Appeal submitted; will update accordingly
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Thanks againfor that; so I am appealing on the basis of the exemption of assisted alighting in a Resident Bay, the no charging part just doesn't apply
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This case on Monday - someone without a permit in a permit bay while charging - and a no permit PCN was correctly given. It makes no sense to issue a no-charging PCN in my view.
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Case reference 2250376541
Appellant xxxxxx
Authority London Borough of Lambeth
VRM CF220DP
PCN Details
PCN LJ33884406
Contravention date 16 Mar 2025
Contravention time 08:33:00
Contravention location Moorland Road
Penalty amount GBP 130.00
Contravention Parked resident/shared use without a valid permit
Referral date -
Decision Date 24 Nov 2025
Adjudicator Martin Hoare
Appeal decision Appeal refused
Direction Full penalty charge notice amount stated to be paid within 28 days.
Reasons
Ms Gorning attended this video appeal hearing. The Authority did not attend.
Ms Gorning submitted that the penalty charge ‘is extremely unfair given the growing push for greener transportation and the barriers now being placed on electric vehicle (EV) users. The road in question previously allowed open access to the EV charging bay without the need for a permit, but this has now changed - with little notice or consideration for local EV drivers.
I live less than a one-minute walk away from this charging bay, yet I am not eligible for a resident parking permit because I live on an estate, not directly on the road itself. This leaves me in a Catch-22 situation: I am doing my part to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Lambeth by driving an electric car, but I am effectively blocked from charging it anywhere nearby without risking a penalty. The charging bay itself is hardly ever used and sits empty most of the time, meaning the new restrictions are not even improving access or turnover - they are simply punitive for people like me. Other charging bays across Brixton are also permit-only during most hours and are often free because no one is able to use them.
The next closest unit available to me is on Pulross Road, a 20-minute walk away. This is impractical and unsafe, especially late in the evening when most EV owners would look to charge overnight so their vehicle is ready for work the next day. To make matters worse, even if I were willing to walk the distance, I am only allowed to charge between 7am and 10pm, giving me a very limited window to access power - often when bays are already full.’
The civil enforcement officer’s notes and photographs establish that this vehicle was parked in this adequately signed permit holder's only electric vehicle charging bay The vehicle was charging. The vehicle did not display the necessary permit.
The sign stated -Electric vehicle recharging point only. The upright sign contains the “P” symbol and the electric vehicle. The prescribed legend is “Electric vehicle recharging point only”. Permit holders only (description of permit types). Maximum stay 24 hours, no return in 24 hours. You must be actively charging to park in this bay.
There may be mitigating circumstances that do make the rigorous application of the law inappropriate. The law however does not give me as an adjudicator authority to cancel a PCN on the ground of mitigation alone.
The appeal is refused.
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Yes, got it
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Assisted alighting not boarding...
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Thanks Stamfordman
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Loading is nothing to do with this.
Contravention didn't occur: I was engaged in assisted boarding of xxx from xxx and took only as only as long as necessary.
Contravention didn't occur: the act of not charging cannot apply to a non-permit holder as I was not entitled to park in this bay as I do not hold a resident's permit for this zone. A correct contravention would have been parked without a valid permit, which would also have been correct had I been charging.
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Google came up with this but cant see a definitive answer on Camden Council website
You can load and unload in a resident bay in Camden for up to 20 minutes, provided it is a continuous process and you are responsible for the vehicle at all times.
Avoid dedicated bays like disabled, car club, or diplomatic bays, and move your vehicle as soon as the loading is complete, even if the time limit hasn't been reached.
Loading rules for resident bays
Time limit: You are allowed a maximum of 20 minutes for loading and unloading.
Continuous activity: The process must be continuous. Once goods are unloaded and paperwork is completed, you must move the vehicle immediately.
Vehicle presence: Someone responsible for the vehicle must be with it at all times.
Prohibited bays: You cannot load or unload in diplomatic bays. It's also recommended to avoid disabled bays if possible.
Suspended bays: Loading is not permitted in a suspended bay unless you have requested the suspension yourself.
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Will do, thanks again
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The a suffix is spelt out on the PCN anyway as permit holders electric bay but as I said I think this consolidates the fact that you were a non-permit holder in a permit bay. The act of charging or not is not relevant.
But see what others say.
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The assisted alighting defence looks good
Are you deliberating if code 16 trumps code 14 in this circumstance? Does the "a" suffix make a difference?
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These are the relevant parts of the traffic order.
I'd say you can challenge on two points but not sure about the first. Others will have views.
Wrong contravention - should be code 16 - Parked in a permit space or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where required
Point being the counterfactual - if you had been charging you would still have got a PCN or should have for code 16 in my view as the code 14 makes no sense.
Assisted alighting
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Each permit holders parking place reserved for electric vehicles may be
used, subject to the provisions of this Order, for the leaving during the
permitted hours of such vehicles as are referred to in paragraph (3) of this
Article as are electric vehicles, as are both connected via a charging lead to
a charging post relating to that parking place and actively charging.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Order, any vehicle may
wait during the permitted hours in any part of a parking place (other than a
pedal cycle parking place of any type or a dockless cycle hire and escooter parking place) or a loading place, if the use of that part has not
been suspended and if:
(a) the vehicle is waiting for a period not exceeding two minutes, or such
longer period as a police constable in uniform or a civil enforcement
officer may approve to enable a person to board or alight from the
vehicle or load thereon or unload therefrom their personal luggage:
Provided that, if the said person is a person suffering from any
disability or injury which seriously impairs their ability to walk or
who is blind, the vehicle may wait for as long as may be
necessary to enable that person to board or alight from the
vehicle or load thereon on unload therefrom their personal
luggage.
https://store.traffweb.app/camden/documents/parkmap/sched/LBC_2025_023%20-%20Static%20map-based%20consolidation%20-%20Articles.pdf
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Was only aware after the event when I looked at the sign again
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Did not have a permit, did not have my car on charge at the time of the window PCN
I presume you are aware you can't charge there without a permit?
But this suggests the wrong contravention: you parked without a permit not that you weren't charging.
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Did not have a permit, did not have my car on charge at the time of the window PCN
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Do you have a permit as it's a permit only bay.
Parked to charge my car.
Did you put the car on charge.
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Thanks, will post up soon
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Most councils allow conditional loading/unloading alighting and boarding in parking places. Whether this applies with Camden, in particular with EV bays, your reps would discover. Why not look online at their website.
Put forward your argument within the 14-day discount period (ends 29th Nov.) and the authority are likely to re-offer the discount even if you're unsuccessful.
According to your account you parked, assisted your daughter to **** and returned to the car. You understand that this would not have been known by the CEO but now that the authority has been informed you should be grateful if they would cancel the PCN.
Try putting together a draft.
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Specifically, is assisting a disabled person an exempt activity?
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Morning all, would appreciate some guidance if, and how, to proceed with a challenge. Thanks
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Would assisted alighting be a basis for an informal challenge?
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My daughter is 14, neurodiverse and does need assistance, she was meeting friends in an unfamiliar location so would need to be accompanied
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IMO, To cut to the chase: what your intentions were as regards charging is not the issue, by your own admission you parked, did not charge and left your vehicle. On this basis the contravention is proved.
Your intention goes to mitigation.
However, pl elaborate on 'Walked around the corner to drop off my daughter..'.
Why, how old is she, is she independently mobile etc? We need to look at the issue of what's know as assisted alighting.
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Google maps location https://www.google.com/maps/place/Belmont+St,+Chalk+Farm,+London/@51.5437679,-0.1512393,3a,81.5y,61.55h,88.99t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sv-0wYfy2C_v5KJMtQXdREg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.0055268928128953%26panoid%3Dv-0wYfy2C_v5KJMtQXdREg%26yaw%3D61.55237664003396!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x48761ae50ebf3fa5:0x2551265d4954b7da!8m2!3d51.5440669!4d-0.1510246!16s%2Fg%2F1tqt94g2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Image links below
https://ibb.co/qYLLQkt7
https://ibb.co/qYLLQkt7
https://ibb.co/GvNK77yL
Thanks
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(https://i.ibb.co/m5VrJW1q/Camden.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
Please also post the rest of the PCN, a GSV link to the location, and any council photos.
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Hi
Received a PCN yesterday. Parked to charge my car. Walked around the corner to drop off my daughter and returned to a window ticket. Do I have any grounds for appeal? Two things I noted was the observation period (is 4 mins long enough?) and the description of my car as grey when it is actually blue
Link to PCN image below
Thanks in advance
https://ibb.co/8gLnMZT5