Hello, new user here!
I drove my (little Nissan e-nv200)) van through Rotherhithe tunnel on consecutive days without realising I wasn't allowed to.
After receiving the PCN through the post I checked on Google Maps and saw that there are signs that say no entry to vehicles over 2 tonnes, I just didn't notice them. A day or 2 later I then received a 2nd PCN through for the 2nd time I had passed through the tunnel.
I hate the punative aspect of these fines, especially now they seem to have gone up to £160, and £80 if you pay within 14 days. Crazy amounts when we are all increasingly broke.
However bearing in mind the signage is there I grudgingly accept I should be more observant and that I should have to pay something. However it seems just too harsh for me to have to pay both fines!
I appealed on this basis, and TransportForLondon have just replied, rejecting this appeal.
So I invite any replies/advice but my question is generally, is there any merit to this line of appeal, that I didn't realise the 1st time and that is painful, but to be also punished for the same offence the day after is just too harsh?
The argument being that a penalty notice is, I think, supposed to punish and hence act as a deterrent to future infraction; and in my case here, I am receiving the punishment and hence deterrent for the first offence only after having unknowingly committed the same offence again. In effect the fine is double what it normally is.
I look forward to your replies, thank you.
