Free Traffic Legal Advice

A lady at the Portsmouth parking office just rang and advised that contrary to our representation, they WERE allowed to charge in the way they did - she quoted part 2 sec 4.4 and said something about 'in addition to, OR'. Obviously I wasn't able to follow or confirm whether she had a point or not.
But she said that they would allow me to just pay the £50 CAZ charge. This is obviously attractive since it will cost more than that to be represented at tribunal. I did say that there was a point about the signage that we would bring up at tribunal - she said that if that had been on the representation, they would have addressed it (but of course, they would probably have defended it).
I asked for 24 hours to consider the offer and she will ring tomorrow. It's a case of pursuing the principle vs financial outlay. Thoughts on her argument?

OK, great, I'm going to do this - as soon as I can get through to the online link, which seems to be down at the moment. Because I missed the notification of your reply (my bad, have now ticked the notify box!), I seem to have missed the unofficial deadline of 14 days when I might receive the discount after representation rejection - it's a shame that is not reported officially anywhere...

I anticipate the online process will give me the same statutory grounds of appeal that the PCN states - which should I tick?

The charge did not apply to the vehicle.
The Council has made a procedural error when dealing with my case or the PCN.
The penalty charge exceeded the amount applicable in the circumstances of the case.

I'm guessing the middle one?

Thinking forward to tribunal:
is telephone rather than physical appearance likely?
On loss, will I be paying 50+120 (CAZ + non-discounted penalty)?
Can someone represent me, and for what cost?

Route
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53787261588/in/dateposted-public/

I suppose this does show there is an exit from the dual carriageway on Havisham street, but it isn't obvious and probably wouldn't be for your average HGV.

Try uploading to an image sharing site - can someone confirm they can see these?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53787303654/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53786044657/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53786986096/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53787202718/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53787403905/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53786986066/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53786044632/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/183139830@N08/53786986071/in/dateposted-public/

23 May - we were travelling in our motorhome (above 3.5T, so classified as private goods vehicle and therefore subject to CAZ charge) to sail from Portsmouth Brittany Ferries terminal. As usual, we filled up with petrol just round the corner from the port. This involves driving on Mile End Road, a dual carriageway, past the terminal road exit and turning round at the nearest roundabout to access the filling station on the other carriageway. I was aware that there was now a CAZ in place and did see advance warning signs. However, I thought that there would be an alternative route at the boundary to avoid going into it. Unfortunately there wasn't and we ended up briefly entering and exiting the CAZ. We weren't aware of this until returning home 2 weeks later and now have a PCN for £50 entry plus £60 fine if paid within 28 days, otherwise £120.

I will post the PCN and evidence of route and signage forthwith, but wanted to get this rolling asap. I would appreciate advice on whether the signage is sub-standard (the last sign is not far behind a buslane camera sign) and whether there should be a last minute get-out exit to avoid entering the CAZ (the last sign is at the exit of a roundabout, shows the distance to the boundary, but there is no way of avoiding CAZ entry once you commit to the exit).

Thanks in advance!