Free Traffic Legal Advice

I am keen to go further with this, as I genuinely believe that this PCN has not been properly served and I shouldn't be required to pay. I am the registered owner of the vehicle and have the V5. If you would be able to advise further steps, or link me to any pages on the forum which contain this info it would be much appreciated. Thank you all for your help so far 

Okay please see draft below,

I am writing regarding PCN OD08221819, served on 01/04/2025, apparently on the grounds of 'Parked in Residents Area without clearly displaying a permit.' I was completely unaware that this area was under any parking restrictions, as can be seen from my attached images, there are no markings or signage of any kind in the area where my vehicle is parked which would alert me to this fact. (Images from the original post to be attached)

After revisiting the area, I have discovered that the only signs which would have indicated to me that I am entering a restricted parking area are: small, poorly maintained, and completely inadequate. On the date of the alleged contravention, I entered Mitre Street from it's junction with George Street. I would also note that George Street contains no parking restrictions for vehicles parked along its North side, but appears identical to the area in which I parked in terms of a lack of signage and road markings, further adding to the lack of clarity between the restricted and non-restricted parking zones within this area. I have since discovered that the only signage to establish the boundary between the unrestricted George Street and the restricted Mitre Street, is a small and heavily obscured sign on the East side of Mitre street. On the occasion on which the PCN was served, the sign was obscured by two large vehicles parked directly in front of it, meaning that it was almost completely unnoticeable from a passing vehicle, I have dashboard camera evidence of this fact. The sign itself is also woefully inadequate, so much so that I believe it does not meet the regulations set out in Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 3 Section 13.10, which would only deem a sign of such size suitable 'in an environmentally sensitive area where the road is very narrow.'

I would also argue that as the sign in question can be so easily obscured by parked vehicles and overgrown vegetation, that Oldham Council have failed to meet the standards set out in the LATOR Regulations 1996, Section 18 which states that 'the order making authority shall take such steps as are necessary to secure the maintenance of such signs for so long as the order remains in force.'

I would therefore argue that I am not liable for the PCN served on 01/04/2025 due to the insufficient and inadequate signage which Oldham Council have provided at the site. I also notice that your enforcement officer has not yet provided any photographic evidence that any alleged contravention has actually taken place.

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. On reviewing google street view, I can now see the sign which you've shown here. I didn't enter from Crown Street but actually came down George street, and turned onto the top of Mitre Street, so wouldn't have gone past it. There is also a sign at the top of Mitre Street, which I didn't see, but from the attached links you can see why, it's very heavily obscured.

Thanks

Daniel

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k-fhzNzGDRVtLZxmQPyKHBojtm4kmRK2/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17rv6YujCID14lcizdT_TorDo75RDDRCM/view?usp=sharing