Free Traffic Legal Advice

Thanks both. Yes, the timeplate is certainly missing since the GSV. It also explains why I didn't notice the yellow line as I didn't walk directly on the road but towards the nearest junction.

Does this sound like a good appeal to the Council?

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: PCN IY01965421
Vehicle Registration: LN13PCZ

I challenge this Penalty Charge Notice on the grounds that the alleged contravention did not occur.

The restriction at the location was not adequately conveyed because the single yellow line was in an extremely poor state of repair and had deteriorated to the point where it was barely visible. In the area where my vehicle was parked, there is effectively no visible yellow line behind the vehicle and only a small remaining section in front. The condition of the road marking is evident from both the Civil Enforcement Officer's photographs and the photographs I took immediately after the PCN was issued.

The purpose of traffic signs and road markings is to adequately convey restrictions to motorists. In this case, the carriageway marking had deteriorated to such an extent that it failed to clearly indicate the presence of a single yellow line restriction.

Having reviewed historical Google Street View imagery, it appears that an upright timeplate previously existed much closer to the location where my vehicle was parked. However, my photographs show that this sign was no longer present on the date of the alleged contravention. The remaining timeplate relied upon by the council is located further along the road.

In circumstances where the single yellow line itself had almost entirely worn away, the absence of the nearest timeplate materially reduced the clarity of the restriction. The combination of a severely faded road marking and the removal of the nearby sign meant that the restriction was not adequately conveyed to motorists.

I have also obtained historical imagery showing that the yellow line had been in a poor and deteriorating condition for a considerable period before the date of the alleged contravention. This suggests that the condition of the marking was not a recent occurrence but had existed for some time.

In addition, an independent resident left a handwritten note on my vehicle stating:

"Dear Owner, I'm a resident on this road. Please appeal + take a photo of the yellow line. It needs repainting! Good Luck!"

While I appreciate that this note is not determinative, it is nevertheless notable that a local resident independently considered the road marking to be in need of repainting and sufficiently defective to warrant an appeal.

For the reasons set out above, I submit that the restriction was not adequately conveyed and therefore the alleged contravention did not occur. I respectfully request that the Penalty Charge Notice be cancelled.

Should the council not agree to cancel the PCN, please provide copies of any records relating to the inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement of the single yellow line and associated signage at this location during the 24 months preceding the date of the alleged contravention.

I look forward to your confirmation that the PCN has been cancelled.

Yours faithfully,

@cp8759 do you think I've got a chance with this one at the London Tribunal?

Hi,

Context
I've received a PCN from TFL for stopping in a red route loading/parking bay during restricted times (details below). I was dropping my wife off at an appointment she had with one of the shops on this high street. I had not noticed the signs and because the marked bays looked like on-street parking I assumed this was drop off was allowed. I must have stayed no more than 2 mins but I understand now that drop off or pick up is restricted for these types of bays.

Grounds of Appeal
TSRGD Chapter 3 paragraph 16.1.4
"All upright signs should face oncoming traffic as drivers need to be able to read them without stopping, otherwise they might be committing an offence."

TSRGD Chapter 3 paragraph 16.2.5
"All upright "no stopping" signs should normally face oncoming traffic, as mentioned in 16.1.4, otherwise a driver might be tempted to stop in a bay to read the sign, and in doing so risk the possibility of committing an offence."

My issue is that no red route signs are facing the direction of traffic to inform drivers of the restrictions. Even further back along the road, the double and single red lines do not even have an upright sign. The road also has a slight curve making the parallel signs even more difficult to see especially given they're not immediately at the beginning of the marked bays.

PCN Details
PCN: https://imgur.com/a/hy5wV5C
GSV: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4XnXvzsa6mJvYgjm9
PCN no: GX21901392
VRN: LF66JFK
Date of notice: 20/01/2025

What I have done so far
I have challenged the PCN on the TfL websites and took a screenshot of this as confirmation. I added details "Contravention did not occur".
I'm now waiting for a Notice of Rejection to take this up with the London Tribunal.

Questions
Have I made a mistake bypassing the TfL appeal? - I thought I'd just get a rejection anyway.
Should I include anything about CCTV enforcement? - I think not since TfL won the recent judicial review on this.
What do I expect if I go with a personal hearing? - I've never done anything like this before.

I have drafted a statement for the London Tribunal which I can post here if this helps.

I'm so grateful to have found this website. Thank you in advance!