Free Traffic Legal Advice

So, the council have replied to my email "Good morning,

Thank you for your email.
Our records indicate that we have received your challenge against the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) that you have quoted.
Your case has been placed on hold until a decision has been made. All correspondence is answered is strict date order of receipt, therefore a response will be sent to you as soon as possible.
If your challenge is rejected, the discount will be reinstated.

Kind regards,"

So, my question is the fact that they have put this in writing but have displayed on their website that £160 is owed now with no mention of a hold, is that not an issue. i.e. I could see that and panic then pay the £160 when they are explicitly saying that they are still considering the case.

No harm in that.

Thanks!

So I sent my appeal in and have not heard anything back. I have been to the website and when I click on payment, I see the following:


https://imgpile.com/p/k66DeD9


Does this mean my first appeal has been rejected? Do I move to the next stage of the appeals process now even though I have not received any reply?

Thansk for any advice.

Is it the Guidance to Local Authorities in the Traffic Management Act 2004 that I need to quote? Thanks

How does this sound for a first stage appeal to the council? Thanks

Grounds for Appeal: The Contravention did not occur

The parking bay was suspended for utility works from 19 January 2026 until and including 21 January 2026. However, the utility works were completed on 20 January 2026 and the bay was clear and fully usable on the morning of 21 January when the PCN was issued.
As the purpose of the suspension had ceased, the suspension itself had no continuing effect and should not have been enforced. A parking suspension may only lawfully remain in force for as long as it is necessary for the stated purpose.
The council’s own roadworks map for 21 January (which I have attached) show no active works on Wendover Road. In addition, the CEO’s own photographs show no works, equipment, barriers or obstructions present in or near the bay, corroborating that the reason for the suspension had ended.
Furthermore, I am also a resident permit holder for this bay and parked in my usual permitted location outside my home once the works were complete. No obstruction was caused and the bay was not required for any works or other purpose at the time.
In these circumstances, it can reasonably be asserted that the contravention did not occur and I request that the PCN be cancelled.

Thanks. The parking bay was exactly where the work was taking place but unfortunately I do not have photos showing the work in action and then complete as it were. When you say it is worth having a go. All the way to tribunal or just first stage council appeal?

I recently won a 52M with Lambeth thanks to Hippocrates. Make sure your screenshot the current payment demand page.

https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/pcn-52m-eastmearn-road-lambeth-5206/msg62370/#msg62370

Even when I was at the appeal stage, they were still threatening to raise the penalty! It was an easy win....

So, inevitably today in the post I received the rejection letter from Lambeth, of my appeal (which was based on the conflicting dates on their website and the PCN). They have given the following options:

A. 14 days to pay the discount charge of £65 counting from 17 March 2025

B. Pay the full £130 after 28 days

C. Appeal to E&TA (Environment and Traffic Adjudicators.

 I am very happy to go for option C. They've given options to appeal via post or online (that's all). I believe it was mentioned on the forum that the appeal should be in person and that someone should be able to assist me with this. If this is still the case I would be very grateful. Please let me know what you need from my end. I have enclosed the rejection below.

Thank you.