Free Traffic Legal Advice

Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Number 42 on January 14, 2026, 05:43:03 pm

Title: Re: PCN even when parked with a blue badge in a disabled bay!!
Post by: stamfordman on January 14, 2026, 06:27:24 pm

Have a read through this thread. As it's Barnet too there is room for optimism.

https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/barnet-council165-parked-in-a-permit-space-without-a-valid-virtual-permit/

Title: PCN even when parked with a blue badge in a disabled bay!!
Post by: Number 42 on January 14, 2026, 05:43:03 pm

I parked outside the RAF museum in Hendon this week in a disabled bay with my blue badge showing and when I returned I had a PCN stuck to my windscreen. A lady told me that I had parked in a dedicated disabled bay, meant for her father. She told me that this happens every day and that it was a 'cashcow' for the council!
The sign did not state that it was dedicated, as it's text read 'Disabled permit holders only  at any time with a number 142 in a black box, see photo. On the road is painted the word 'Disabled', NOT dedicated disabled. The space next to this one has a sign reading 'Disabled permit 234 only', which to me states that it is intended for one disabled user only but sign where I parked uses the plural 'holders' meaning more than one person can park there.
As extra information, the bottom of the sign is 97 inches from the pavement which seems very high and not easy to see when parking.
I have attached some photos I took both at the time and when I re-visited the site the next day to take measurements and take more photos.
Incidentally, if you look at Google street view, the word 'Disabled' which is painted on the road is greyed out, which seems to me that it has been done deliberately so anyone getting a PCN who is unable to revisit the scene can't use it as evidence that it should have the permit number painted there as well (or am I just being a bit too suspicious??)

To me, if this is a dedicated parking bay for just one person, it is not made clear at all that is the case. It does not even use the wording 'dedicated'

Anyway, for more details....

Images...
(https://imgpile.com/p/CRAiELw)

https://imgpile.com/p/CRAiELw

Google street view pic
https://maps.app.goo.gl/63wkxkvM2qEF9B5c6

Thanks in advance

Martyn