Free Traffic Legal Advice

Earlier this year I received a PCN from TFL for using the Blackwall Tunnel in one direction without paying in January 2026.

This was a genuine error as I was unaware a charge had been introduced and it had been a few years since I had used the tunnel.

I appealed on this basis, and that I believed there to be a grace period applicable, and also tried to offer a gesture of goodwill by signing up for Auto Pay to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

This was rejected, so I appealed again. This time I also included evidence that the sign posting on the approach route I took was either limited or non-existent and it was too easy for drivers to assume nothing had changed.

This was also rejected. They've given me 28 days to pay £180, with the threat of a 50% increase if I do not do so.

This all seems unreasonably punitive for what was a genuine error and it does seem designed to raise revenue from the unwary, but ignorance is no defence.

It seems will have no option but to pay up, but I will have to request to pay in instalments, although it seems this is not straight forward either.

Is there anything I've missed and have I run out of options?

Hello,

I'd appreciate some advice regarding an appeal against Smart Parking UK.

The fine is for over staying. However, their fine arrived in the post more than 14 days after the event, and I appealed on this basis. I was (hopefully) careful in my reply, not to acknowledge that I was the driver but only that I was the registered keeper:

'I am writing to appeal your parking charge, which has been sent to me as the registered keeper of GY60 UZF. In accordance with the Protection of Freedoms Act referred to in your Notice To Keeper, your communication should be received within 14 days of the alleged contravention on 27/02/26.

As it was not received until 20th March, i.e. beyond 14 days, the keeper cannot be liable, as this does not comply with the Protection of Freedoms Act. Therefore, the charge needs to be cancelled.'

I've received what looks like a very standard letter refusing my appeal, but making no reference to my grounds for doing so, so who is correct here?:

'Thank you for your recent communication.
Parking Charge: SP58774894
Having considered your appeal in detail we have decided to uphold the Parking Charge (PC) as we believe that it was correctly issued in accordance with the terms and conditions advertised within the area concerned. As your appeal was received within the initial discount period, we have extended the discount period until 06/05/2026.
Having noted your comments, we are satisfied that the Parking Charge has been issued correctly and your appeal is rejected.
We can confirm that the Parking Charge was issued due to insufficient paid time. Our payment system shows that 60 minutes was purchased against vehicle registration GY60UZF however, your vehicle remained on site for a total of 73 minutes. Additional time can be purchased at any point during your stay, before exiting the car park. As your vehicle was parked in excess of the parking time purchased, the advertised terms and conditions have been breached.
You have now reached the end of our internal appeals procedure and therefore you now have two options, you can pay or appeal further with IAS – you cannot do both.
The Appellant has the right to appeal to an Independent Appeals Service, (IAS) using the instructions below. Please note, should you decide to appeal to the IAS, and your appeal is subsequently rejected, the option to pay a discounted amount will no longer be available and the full amount of the PC will be due.
If the appellant decides to appeal to the IAS, they will need to visit the website, https://www.theias.org/ where further details of how to appeal can be found. The appellant has 28 days from the date of this letter to submit an appeal to IAS.
Alternatively, your 3 payment options are:'

Any ideas appreciated!