Free Traffic Legal Advice

thanks for your responses everyone. I feel that on balance of what has been said so far I will just pay the £80 fine, since If I appeal again and loose I will not be offered the 'reduced' amount and will have to pay £160 which I don't want to risk

Lucky for me I know exactly where it was.
It's here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Eq3q8JLhwMbFiQfTA

Outside a shop called BB fatima. And the road to the left is Cecil road. Note that on Google Street view you can't see any box junction painted as these where added by the council only a few months ago, as we all know just to take more of our hard earned £

Hi All,

The driver was driving on Ilford Lane on 29/05/25. The driver approached the box junction with the clear intention to proceed through it only if the exit was clear. At the time the driver entered the box, they observed that the vehicle in front was moving and there appeared to be sufficient space to clear the junction. However, unexpectedly and without any prior indication, a van in front of the car stopped and began a reverse parking manoeuvre into a space on the left-hand side of the road.

This forced the car directly in front to stop abruptly within the junction, which in turn caused the driver to become temporarily stationary within the box junction. This situation arose after the driver had already committed to entering the junction, based on the assumption of continued movement by the vehicles ahead.

____________________________________________________________________________________

The following appeal was made after receiving this notice:

Subject: Formal Representation Against PCN for Box Junction – PCN Number [xxxxxx]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally contest the issuance of the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) [Insert PCN Number], dated [Insert Date], which alleges that my vehicle stopped in a yellow box junction on Ilford Lane, Redbridge.

I respectfully request that this charge be reviewed and cancelled based on the following mitigating circumstances, which are clearly supported by the video and photographic evidence provided by Redbridge Council.

On the day in question, I approached the box junction on Ilford Lane with the clear intention to proceed through it only if my exit was clear, in accordance with Rule 174 of the Highway Code, which states:

“You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear.”

At the time I entered the box, I observed that the vehicle in front of me (a car) was moving and there appeared to be sufficient space for me to clear the junction. However, unexpectedly and without any prior indication, a van in front of the car stopped and began a reverse parking manoeuvre into a space on the left-hand side of the road.

This forced the car directly in front of me to stop abruptly within the junction, which in turn caused me to become temporarily stationary within the box junction. This situation arose after I had already committed to entering the junction, based on the assumption of continued movement by the vehicles ahead.

The obstruction caused by the van’s reverse parking manoeuvre was unforeseeable and occurred after I had entered the box. This is a crucial point as I did not enter the box recklessly or without regard for the rules, but rather due to circumstances outside of my control.

Compliance with Rule 174 of the Highway Code:

Rule 174 allows for reasonable judgment to be made at the time of entry into the junction. I entered the box believing the exit was clear, which satisfies the requirement of the rule. The fact that a vehicle in front stopped unexpectedly due to a third vehicle's manoeuvre should be considered a mitigating factor and not a deliberate or negligent act on my part.

The CCTV/video footage provided by Redbridge Council corroborates my explanation. It clearly shows the van’s manoeuvre and the chain of events that led to my vehicle becoming stationary in the box junction. I urge the reviewing officer to consider this visual evidence alongside my explanation.


According to the Department for Transport’s Operational Guidance to local authorities on enforcing moving traffic contraventions, enforcement should be “fair and proportionate” and not used to penalise motorists who are caught in situations they could not reasonably predict or avoid. This applies directly to my case.

Given the exceptional circumstances and the fact that the contravention was not due to any deliberate or negligent action on my part, I believe this PCN has been issued unfairly and should be cancelled. I acted responsibly and in accordance with the Highway Code, and the obstruction that caused the stop was entirely beyond my control.

I would appreciate your fair and reasonable consideration of this representation, and I respectfully request the cancellation of the PCN.

____________________________________________________________________________________

All supporting docs including initial PCN, Rejection and Image and video of incident:
https://1drv.ms/f/c/6b806e5341044f24/EiUOXQX04NtGiWbG-mWTyMoBqM3FfLhITqyY5vyf7gTAXw?e=hf2WNR - NOTE: Drivers car is car in dark blue (AUDI A5)

Please advise what should the driver do in this situation.

Your help is much appreciated.