Merton - unable to do what it's able to do

Case reference   2250547291
Appellant   xxxxx
Authority   London Borough of Merton
VRM   LA24HLG
PCN Details
PCN   MT01760627
Contravention date   03 Sep 2025
Contravention time   14:04:00
Contravention location   Abbey Road JW High Path
Penalty amount   GBP 160.00
Contravention   Fail comply prohibition on certain types vehicle
Referral date   -
Decision Date   11 Aug 2026
Adjudicator   Mackenzie Robinson
Appeal decision   Appeal refused
Direction   Full penalty charge notice amount stated to be paid within 28 days.
Reasons   
1. Mrs xxxx has limited English, and did not understand the wording on the road surface or the signs. While ignorance of the law, and the meaning of road signs, is not a reason for allowing an appeal, it is mitigation. Mrs xxxx is on Universal Credit and has three dependent children. Evidence has been provided of this as part of her appeal.

2. I dismiss the appeals, because I find that the restriction was adequately signed and marked. Mrs xxx may not have understood these signs and markings, but they were there to be seen and understood.

3. I did invite the authority to reconsider the amount of penalties sought from Mrs xxxx, and adjourned the case for that reason, but the appropriate officer for the authority has responded saying that ‘Whilst I note the comments regarding Mrs xxxx’s situation and the financial difficulties they experience, the Penalty Charge Notice follows a statutory process which adheres to strict timelines. Unfortunately we are unable to take any financial circumstances into account and are unable to offer any instalment plans or arrive at an agreed overall sum, as suggested.’

4. I must therefore dismiss these appeals, which will require the penalties to be paid in full within 28 days. I suggest that Mrs xxxx considers contacting one of the free debt advice charities available online, such as www.stepchange.org.

I abhor this council for good reason and the result would have been rather different with proper representation. Time to hatch one of Baldrick's cunning plans.

http://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/merton-52j-failing-to-comply-with-a-prohibition-ltn-abbey-road-jw-high-path/msg121504/#msg121504

This kind of situation inspired me to write this:

http://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/enforcement-of-traffic-penalties-by-london-councils-training-of-staff-changes-in/

At the moment recipients are even more ignorant than the robbers who fleece them and it really is time to do something about this in Parliament.

And I am taking this one all the way and I will invite the Press to attend:

http://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/merton-52j-failing-to-comply-with-a-prohibition-on-certain-types-of-vehicle-loca/msg127210/#msg127210

The victim's first language isn't English? Hmmm, in my recent Employment Tribunal cases most of the claimants didn't have english as a first language and the ET Judge was very accommodating for these people. Maybe the Traffic Tribunal judges could take a leaf out of the ET judge's book.

The victim's first language isn't English? Hmmm, in my recent Employment Tribunal cases most of the claimants didn't have english as a first language and the ET Judge was very accommodating for these people. Maybe the Traffic Tribunal judges could take a leaf out of the ET judge's book.

I recently observed a Camden case with said adjudicator and the appellant was Greek and he was most accommodating with the interpreter.  Sadly, I could say nothing as an obserber and probably would have won the case on their pi££ poor website.

I have been before him several times and I regard him in the most positve terms.

Such is life and I refer to my other Flame Pit thread to encourage people to write to their MPs to do something about this situation.

http://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/enforcement-of-traffic-penalties-by-london-councils-training-of-staff-changes-in/

This applies mainly to council staff who are anonymous, incompetent yet powerful. I have said all ths to many adjudicators.

My new logo: Michelangelo's David (which I have personally seen in Florence). I need support, and I mean proactive support, to expose this fiasco from members to get this aired at The Transprt Select Committee via their MPs.

Otherwise, just crack on, moan and achieve nothing.