Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello,

I got a Contravention code 16 - Parked in a permit space or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where required in Wembley Park.

I am a resident but didn't know there was an event that day and I was parked for a couple of days since I was sick and didn't go to work.

I know that I didn't have a permit but this is only because I'm never at home when there's an event and yeah , it worked for a couple of years. Got one now obviously.

I don't know if it helps much but there was only the signs saying 'Permit holders in marked bays on event days 10am-midnight', as I didn't go out that day , I wasn't able to see if there are any signs indicating that its an event day at the entrance to the road  (probably like 5 minutes away btw).
It does seem unfair to me , really want someone else's opinion. Aren't they supposed to put those signs everywhere if there is an event? I usually see lots of them in other locations but none on any streets close by..

I want to know what I should do , pay it or go further with appealing it.

I have made an informal appeal (reasoning is that it is a first time offence and there was no sign to indicate that there's an event on that day) and got a letter saying:

I write with reference to your recent correspondence received in connection with the above PenaltyCharge Notice (PCN).Your informal challenge has been considered by this office in accordance with the requirements of theTraffic Management Act 2004. After a careful consideration of the grounds you have made and allother related circumstances, the decision has been made not to cancel your PCN.The reason for the rejection may be summarised as follows:The PCN was issued as the vehicle was observed Parked in a permit space or zone without a validvirtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where required.The above location falls within the Wembley event day zone and there was a major event at theWembley Stadium on the date of the contravention.Parking within the whole of the zone on Wembley event days is restricted between 10am to midnightin some residential areas and between 8am until midnight on main strategic roads. There may not be yellow lines and/or marked bays on the road/street in certain areas within the eventday zone (usually Environmental and/or Conservation Areas) to indicate that it is a restricted street –sign plates would indicate where permit holders only can park within the zone. The signagerequirements within the event day zone have been authorised by The Secretary of State forTransport.There are thousands of people attending an event at the Wembley National Stadium on an event day.This protective parking scheme is designed to protect local residents and businesses from illegalparking by visitors to events at the new Wembley Stadium. Under the scheme only residents andlocal businesses would be able to hold the permits, which will allow them to park in the roads whereparking is permitted within the zone, on an event day.

If you are a resident within the event day zone and would like to apply for a permit to park the vehicleon a permit space on event dates, please contact the Brent permit section on 020 8290 8300 (option3) during the office hours of 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.The Wembley Stadium event day Zone is clearly marked and signed. There are zone entry signsadvising motorists of the parking restriction on event days, surrounding the Wembley Stadium eventday zone. There are 33 areas within the Wembley event day Zone and surrounding each area of theWembley event day zone there are also some advisory signs advising motorists of the parkingrestriction on event dates. These signs also have a flip over sign which is flipped over on the eveningbefore the date of the event so that the sign states in red ‘EVENT TODAY’ and closed after the eventhas finished. There are digital warning signs on the main routes into the event day Zone whichdisplays the date of the next major event at Wembley Stadium. Motorists can check the Wembleyevent dates on the Wembley Stadium website  or the Brent Councilwebsite  it is the motorist’s responsibility to check the Wembley event dates and to ensure that the vehicle isparked in accordance with the parking restrictions that are in force.Due consideration has been given to the information provided, however, Brent Council is satisfied thatthe PCN was correctly issued and that the contravention occurred in this case.