Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hopefully, the final update on this PCN (for future reference):

I received a letter confirming the council has 'as a gesture of goodwill' cancelled the PCN.


https://app.box.com/s/ub7wt3900y5u21d48jtakiuxofj7ay1p

Let's see the PCN and the RingGo receipt.

A difference of one minute while taking out a session should be enough as long as you are credible in trying to do so as it looks like you are.

You met the CEO an hour later? That's corroboration of 1 free hour perhaps also.

I have provided the hyperlink of the PCN and the RinGo receipt at the end of my original post under the 'Attachment section'

For everyone's benefit I have relisted them below:

1. Parking Penalty Charge pdf  https://app.box.com/s/oebi9c59uq2mwln2836oyr083g7nmk0p
2. Screenshot Ringo Session https://app.box.com/s/vp96ak9j0o57m11ab73ucq7tbgklx6rw
3. Screenshot PayByPhone Payment Receipt Email https://app.box.com/s/2l3zftl6darlucq5o7zfgwy745u53u7c
4. Google Street View Location https://maps.app.goo.gl/azbLQh3CqbmkMnxp8

Request: Help drafting appeal — PCN AF11806619 (Station Road Ilford)

Short summary:

    Date: 25/10/2025. Reg: WM**HSA. Location: Station Road, Ilford. PCN AF11806619 (code 11u).

    I parked ~11:25–11:26, tried to start the free 1‑hour Ringo session but had mobile data issues after switching operator the day before.

    Went into Lidl (short walk way) to use Wi‑Fi but still had issues. Got an error on Ringo app, but did not take a screenshot as I was stressed that the session had not started. Eventually data worked at 11:29 am but Ringo session shows 11:30–12:30. CEO observation recorded 11:28–11:29 and PCN was issued 1 min before my session start.

    I returned to the car at 12:25 pm and the CEO advised me to appeal. He confirmed there is no observation period applicable as per Redbridge council policy.

    Evidence: scanned PCN, Ringo session history (11:30–12:30),
Potentia Evidence that I had not parked car for long enough before getting ticked: PayByPhone email receipt 10:36–11:36 for Newham location, possible store receipt or google wallet payment timed at 11:07am.

11:07 to 11:25 am covers time to unload shopping trolley in the car, return the trolley to the shop, drive from Fifth Avenue (Newham) to Station road (Ilford) via Romford road with some traffic due to works going on the road. Not sure whether I need to go into all these details in the appeal.

What I need from the forum:

    Advise on the appeal wording potentially highlighting: immediate attempt to pay, app/connectivity failure, session confirmed at 11:30, PCN issued 1 min before session registered, and council’s 1‑hour free policy.

    Quick view on whether the “1‑hour free” point is worth pressing.

    Whether to request Ringo logs and CEO bodycam/CCTV now or wait for Notice to Owner.

Here is my draft appeal:

To: London Borough of Redbridge Parking Services PCN No: AF11806619 — Reg WM**HSA

I challenge this PCN. I parked at Station Road on 25/10/2025 at ~11:25 and immediately tried to start the free 1‑hour Ringo session but suffered mobile data/connectivity failure. I entered Lidl to use their Wi‑Fi and repeatedly attempted to register. My Ringo session history shows 11:30–12:30. The CEO’s observation is recorded as 11:28–11:29 and the PCN was therefore issued possibly few seconds before my session registered. I returned at 12:25 and was told to appeal.

Grounds: genuine attempt to pay; app/connection failure; PCN issued few seconds before successful registration; council operates a 1‑hour free policy — my session covers that hour. Please cancel the PCN or supply the evidence (Ringo logs, CEO notes, photos, CCTV/bodycam) you rely on so I can respond.

Yours,
XYZ

______________________________
Attachments:
1. Parking Penalty Charge pdf
2. Screenshot Ringo Session
3. Screenshot PayByPhone Payment Receipt Email
4. Google Street View Location

A big Thank you to @Hippocrates , @cp8759 and this forum for all your help and guidance to get my appeal accepted.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or queries about this PCN.

Andrew Malpass v London Borough of Bromley (2240008359, 7 February 2024)

Following the precedent set in the Andrew Malpass v London Borough of Bromley case, I contend that the PCN issued to me is defective due to the following inconsistencies:

Contravention Location: The PCN incorrectly specifies the location as "HORNS ROAD (A)". There is no designated area with this name. The accurate location is simply "HORNS ROAD". The inclusion of "(A)" appears to be an internal reference used solely by the Council and has no bearing on the actual location.

Notice of Representation (NOR) Date Discrepancy: A discrepancy exists between the date listed on the NOR (page 1) – 03-April-2024 – and the date indicated in the "office only section" of the London Tribunals documentation – 02-April-2024. This inconsistency renders the NOR defective.

Furthermore, the reduction of the appeals period constitutes a significant defect, as previously discussed.  In my case, the wording within the NOR not only shortens the allotted time for submitting representations, but the issuing authority demonstrably reduced the actual time allowed by two days. Additionally, the council increased the penalty amount before the legal timeframe for representations had expired.

It is crucial to distinguish my case from the examples provided by cp8759. In those cases, the PCN itself contained an incorrect appeals period. While the PCN itself appears accurate in my case, the Council's implementation of the deadlines is demonstrably inconsistent with the information presented on the PCN. The truncation of the appeals period was solely implemented by the Council's actions.

@leftylefty it might help others if you can share the video as well, please.
 Otherwise, forum members will have to view the video on the Barnet Council website (it is a more onerous option).

I appreciate you have paid the DVLA.

It might help others who get into a similar situation if you provide a breakdown of what you ended up paying vs what was asked by the authorities. It will help others estimate what the minimum they would have to pay.

Please send me their response.

I have not received any response yet. I will definitely share the response with you once I get any.