Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: t23 on January 05, 2026, 03:48:10 pm
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Well, I am a real Gemini and will PM you with my details for a quick call.
Sorted.
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Here's what Google Gemini has to say on the matter:
I've analyzed the "Notice of Rejection" letters you shared. Lambeth is using a standard template here, essentially saying their signage meets the "Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD)" and that the cameras caught you in the zone during restricted hours.
However, they’ve left you a massive opening. Because this is Rosendale Road (Contravention 53J), you are in a unique position due to a major High Court ruling in May 2025.
The "Ace Up Your Sleeve": WDAG v. Lambeth
The West Dulwich LTN (which includes the Rosendale Road 53J restrictions) was ruled unlawful by the High Court (West Dulwich Action Group v. London Borough of Lambeth [2025] EWHC 1111 (Admin)).
The judge ruled that the council failed to properly consider resident concerns, making the entire Traffic Order invalid. Lambeth has already been forced to refund over £1.4 million in fines for this exact location.
What you should do now:
Do not pay yet. You have 28 days from the date of that rejection letter to appeal to the independent adjudicator (London Tribunals). This is free, and the council can no longer increase the fine while the adjudicator is looking at it.
In your appeal to the Adjudicator, use this specific language:
The Traffic Order is Unlawful: "The contravention did not occur because the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) governing Rosendale Road was ruled unlawful by the High Court in WDAG v. LB Lambeth [2025] EWHC 1111. As the Order itself is invalid, the PCN has no legal basis."
Failure to Consider: "The council's rejection letter (dated [Insert Date]) fails to address the High Court's ruling regarding the illegality of this specific LTN scheme, which constitutes a procedural impropriety."
Signage Inadequacy: Reiterate that the signage placement at the junction does not provide adequate "advance warning" for a driver to safely divert before entering the restricted zone.
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If they haven't re-offered the discount, is it now a complete no-brainer to take them to London Tribunals and test your case there. The penalty remains the same (£160), and there are no additional costs, and, of course, if you win, you pay nothing.
Thanks - what is involved? I am really short of time due to work and family. I guess they rely on most people being too busy to fight these PCNs, as part of their money making process. Would I need to attend the tribual? Chances of success? Hassle and costs?
T23
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If they haven't re-offered the discount, is it now a complete no-brainer to take them to London Tribunals and test your case there. The penalty remains the same (£160), and there are no additional costs, and, of course, if you win, you pay nothing.
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What did you say?
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<a href='https://postimg.cc/3y1mVDQh' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/3y1mVDQh/Lambeth-Reply-01.png' border='0' alt='Lambeth-Reply-01'></a>
@Hippocrates
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Morning!
Lambeth finally replied and it's not good. They want £160. I was away when the PCN arrived over Christmas, so never had the opportunity to pay the reduced sum. @Hippocrates thanks for your help crafting the reply, not sure what to do with this though now.
I've uploaded their response here:
[img width=63.99305725097656 height=180.00001525878906]https://i.postimg.cc/3y1mVDQh/Lambeth-Reply-01.png[/img] (https://postimg.cc/3y1mVDQh)
Any clues, should I go ahead and pay these theives?
T23
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Good morning. No reply as of yet from Lambeth, annoying to have this hanging over us, whilst we wait for their decision. Does anyone know how long this might take and must they reply within a certain timeframe?
Thanks,
T23
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I will PM you a draft as I am too infamous and there is a bounty on my head. Draft sent.
In future, please do not redact the PCN and VRM details.
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@Hippocrates thanks, I've replied via DM. :)
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@t23 I need the VRM and PCN details please. ASAP. PM sent. Please reply.
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Or if anyone else can give guidance?
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Hi Hippocrates,
Thanks, ok, would you have a moment to advise what I need to do? I have no idea what to appeal for.
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Ok, thanks - so it sounds like evrything is in order with the PCN. I just need to get on and pay the fine.
NO.
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Ok, thanks - so it sounds like evrything is in order with the PCN. I just need to get on and pay the fine.
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The 4th Dec is the alleged contravention date, and the 16th Dec is the PCN date, and is and must be the date on whic it was posted, because all enforcement timescales are based on this date. Under the LLA & TfL Act 2003, (see top of PCN), the council have 28 days to serve a postal PCN from contravention date.
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The website is the key as it will have wrong dates.
The website shows the correct date of the 4th Dec 2025 (i.e. this is when I was driving in that street) however, the date on the PCN that I received by post, states 16th/12/2025.
Does this give me grounds to make a representation and if so for what reason?
Thanks, T23
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Hi msym,
Thank you - I've just checked and sorry to hear you're having to deal with the same by the way.
My PCN states 16th Dec 2025 and the Lambeth website states:
First seen at Thu, 4 Dec 2025 15:34
Issued at Thu, 4 Dec 2025 15:34
Is there any guidance you've seen on how to make a representation on this basis?
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Hello. cf just means compare in this context.
I am starting to draft a response for my case.
That I noticed is that the date on the website says 5dec while the paper PCN states 14 Dec. I believe this discrepancy counts as misleading/misinformation and as such the PCN should be invalid
(My assumption for now)
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Ok, still no idea what cf. means - looks like informal appeal is the first step as I'm keen not to pay the next level of fine.
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Work out the 14 days discount and cf. with the website page.
Sorry, I'm not clear what cf. means
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cf.
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Work out the 14 days discount and cf. with the website page.
Sorry, I'm not clear what cf. means - should I go ahead and pay the 14 day discount fine? Or is there anything that can be done to appeal this PCN?
Thank you!
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I’m not clear, Lambeth’s website has wrong dates?
Work out the 14 days discount and cf. with the website page.
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Not that I can be of help but I have exactly the same issue a day after you at the same spot. I have raised another request in the forum. It is really odd as to when this came in force and also once you realise the restriction there is very little you can do to correct your course of action.
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I’m not clear, Lambeth’s website has wrong dates?
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The website is the key as it will have wrong dates.
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Thank you!
Here is the link to GSV:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rosendale+Rd,+Norwood,+London/@51.443037,-0.0973021,3a,90y,349.63h,88.22t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sB_adNw9mhCwqRPOW9APjsQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.7815529493879012%26panoid%3DB_adNw9mhCwqRPOW9APjsQ%26yaw%3D349.62979938099227!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x487604063a15a687:0x5a39a8519c416f51!8m2!3d51.4408141!4d-0.0961998!16s%2Fg%2F1vm_xbvd?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
It does not show the gate or crossing, as they must be fairly new.
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The still photos are taken from a video, and you can usually see it on their website. Can you please post a GSV link to the exact location, because Rosendale Road is very long, and it is a PITA to drive along it virtually in GSV to find ti.
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Hi,
I got back from holiday on Friday to find this PCN waiting for me courtesy of Lambeth. I have missed the lower penalty fine date already, as I was away with family over Christmas.
Any ideas on making representations on this one? The fine is a lot of money which we simply don't have right now!
I did a U-turn on the day, just past the sign, once I realised my mistake. However, (https://postimg.cc/LYPX6PKM)it was perhaps too late, as I had already driven through the sign gate. The photos in the notice, don't show me turning around, but perhaps this is irrelevant as I'd already driven through the signed gate.
Not sure if I can do anything, but any help much appreciated!
T23
(https://i.postimg.cc/LYPX6PKM/PCN-p1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYPX6PKM)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CB81L8Th/PCN-p2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CB81L8Th)
(https://postimg.cc/LYPX6PKM)
(https://postimg.cc/CB81L8Th)