Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: dhl841 on February 21, 2026, 11:54:56 pm
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Looks OK, you can but try.
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Thanks for your reply. Would this be an adequate?
I've left out my PCN and VRN details for now.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Formal Representations Against PCN [PCN 1], PCN [PCN 2], and PCN [PCN 3]
Vehicle Registration: [YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION]
I am writing to formally challenge the above Penalty Charge Notices issued for allegedly driving through a pedestrian zone at Allenby Southall (2) (U).
All three PCNs relate to the same location and circumstances.
PCN [NUMBER 1] – [6th February] - Date of notice 13th February, received 14th February
PCN [NUMBER 2] – [10th February] - Date to notice 19th February, received 20th February
PCN [NUMBER 3] – [13th February] - Date to notice 20th February, received 21st February
At the time of these alleged contraventions, I was unaware that this location was restricted to pedestrian access during the stated hours. I did not receive the first PCN until 14th February, after the subsequent dates had already occurred, and therefore had no opportunity to adjust my route.
I respectfully submit that issuing three separate penalties in these circumstances is disproportionate, as they arise from the same situation before I was made aware of the restriction. This was not a deliberate contravention. As soon as I became aware of the restriction when I received the first PCN on 14th February 2026, I ensured that I no longer used this route. I have also promptly paid the 1st PCN on 15th February.
In light of the above, I respectfully request that tdiscretion be exercised to cancel the second and third PCNs given that they occurred before notification of the first.
I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR CONTACT DETAILS]
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You can contest the 4th PCN, but we'd need to see how good the signage is for that location to advise on whether an appeal at London Tribunals may succeed.
For the others, my suggested approach may work. What we try to acheive is the best financial result for the OP; this may involve conceding one PCN, (at the discount of course !!). Naturally, the council wants to get the money, so may not play ball and insist on payment for all three.
Post a draft of your representations against the 3 PCNs for the first locations.
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No offence taken and thanks for taking the time. In response to first point - yes - and when driving somewhere unfamiliar - trying to manage 20 speed limit, looking out for children suddenly running into the road, and making sure I was going the right way was on my mind moreso than the signs. I trusted Google (wrongly)!
So if I’m correct, as the 4th PCN was in another location, that would not be possible to contest as it is the first time I would have entered that area?
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Sorry to be blunt, (and sorry, hope you aren't offended), but what you're telling us is that you obeyed Google instructions like an automaton and ignored all the traffic signs that you passed. Is that a correct summation ?
We see so many threads on here where the OP says "I was following satnav". These are never, ever, up-to-date, even if you just did the update an hour ago, because they rely on base data that may only be updated once a year and which rely on an information feed about new restrictions. Even if up-to-date, they may not indicate restrictions that only apply on part of a day or a week.
So my first recommendation is to cease using and obeying Google without looking out carefully for signs barring access. The ones you will have passed will have been what we call "FLying Motorbike" signs, which mean " No Entry for motorvehicles", with sometimes a plate below giving days and times the no entry restriction applies. These are now very common for streets with schools on them.
Now, to your PCNs. If you make several contraventions for the same location, and only become aware of them when the first PCN arrives, then you should submit representations that you only became aware on <date> that you had commmitted contraventions at <location> and request that PCNs dated <date, date date> that occurred after the first PCN but before the date you became aware of the problem be cancelled. You would obviously offer to pay the first PCN.
In may cases, the signage indicating the restrictions are badly placed or have no advance warning, so are 'inadequate', a key requirement of Regulation 18 of The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. If you want to contest a PCN on this aspect, be aware that as far as councils are concerned, all their traffic signage is adequate, even perfection, so refuse all reps, so you must be prepared to forego the discount option and take them to London Tribunals for an unbiased decision.
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Hi there, I started work at Ealing Hospital (doctor) on 2nd February and have been intermittently driving to work, through unfamiliar streets, following Google Maps. I received my first PCN letter in the post on 14th February for driving through Allenby Road (as shown Image 1)on 6th February, unaware where I had driven to get to work, let alone driven through the pedestrian zone, due to unfamiliarity. I have since stopped driving through the areas having checked on Google maps, but only now find information where the pedestrian zone starts, on this website (https://publicnoticeportal.uk/notice/traffic-and-roads/6808a13857446e29c5f57f9e) but nowhere on Ealing Council's website is it stated, that I could find. I have paid this PCN (AO08690381).
I have since received 1 further PCN yesterday (20th February) (Image 2), for driving through Allenby Road again on 10th February, and 2 further PCN today (21st February) for Allenby Road and also Oldfield Lane South (Image 3-4).
My issue is that, Google Maps does not issue any warnings on pedestrian zones when you’re driving. If I am not aware of the offence, I am only going to stop driving when I have received the PCN, which takes 7 days to issue, and another day to arrive. And finally, I am being fined for driving through two pedestrian zones 5 minutes away from each other, which I think is charging a double fine for the same offence.
I would be grateful if you could help advise how I could contest these PCNs (I have paid the first but was unaware how many times I had driven through to get another 3!). As a generally fuss-free person, paying the first was fine as I assume, my mistake, but to get 4 in a 7-day period is unfair.
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/e6ESZ68_xl.png)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/FCwuVQG_xl.png)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/i12iKZH_xl.png)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/Snh8GMR_xl.png)
There is no Street View Link on Google Maps with the sign in either location as the date on Google Maps is September 2024. I did however find this image on Facebook for Oldfield Lane South that someone posted but has no location.
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/oHtPLcF_xl.png)