Your Views
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Subject

Comment

Name, location

Date

Kings Park bus only street Bouremouth

You may have heard about the controversy this month surrounding the 2000 plus motorist in Bournemouth who have been caught in a temporary bus lane, and been fined £60 each. Nice little earner....

This was done when road works closed a main route nearby. The council wanted to prevent cars using a short cut through a park, Kings Park, but which allowed  buses to do so through a new temporary bus lane.

The signage is in my view totally inadequate and has therefore caused these many motorists to be caught, including me.  There is a non conforming yellow sign over 200 yards before the bus lane starts, and then no road markings at all until the bus lane starts, and then a conforming sign a few feet in front of the actual bus lane.

I wrote to the council and mentioned there was no conforming advance warning sign, and also no road markings of any kind, ie taper dashed lines or road marking warning signs in advance of the bus lane. I  received the following reply.

"The taper marking to which you refer applies only when there is a parallel lane for other traffic alongside a lane (normally next to the kerb) which is reserved for buses.  You will, I am sure, have seen examples of this in Bournemouth - for instance in Christchurch Road on the approach to St Swithun’s Roundabout.  It does not apply when, as in the case of the north end of Gloucester Road, there is no parallel lane for other traffic in the same direction. 

All Traffic Regulation Orders apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless there are specific exemptions.  There are no such exemptions for the Bus Lane in Gloucester Road

In this scenario the highway is correctly marked in accordance with diagram 1048.4 (as there is no parallel lane for other traffic in the same direction) and the signage at diagram 953 and 953.2 to Schedule 5 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions [TSRGD] 2002.  You will see, on page 136 [Figure 15.9] of the latter that it is now not permitted to use the standard “No Entry” signs with an “Except Buses” supplementary plate."

The main issue I have is that there are no conforming signs to warn motorists until they are about 6 feet before the bus lane, then it is rather too late to suddenly stop etc.

I attach picture 1  which shows the non conforming yellow camera sign 200 yards before the bus lane, and picture 2 shows the actual bus lane with the only conforming sign apparent on the left a few feet in front of the start of the bus lane. Obviously hidden by a bus if following behind one, as I did

Editor - Hi Frank, Quote this to appeal:

The diagram on page 141 from Chapter 3 of the Traffic Signs Manual shows the type of advance signage that is required. Not only is the yellow sign you have used not contained within the Traffic Signs and General Directions (TSRGD 2002), it is not appropriate as the motorist has no way of knowing where 'Kings Park' is. By the time one reaches the bus only section, it is too late to safely take evasive action or seek an alternative route.

In addition, in accordance with direction 8 of the TSRGD, diagram 953 must be placed on BOTH sides of the road in this situation.  As the photos clearly show, it has only been placed on one side, thus the signage is invalid.

I helped someone fight a ticket in a bus only street with inadequate advance warning signage recently (Bodiam Way). Although not the same set up, the same principles apply. See press article here , adjudicator's decision attached in which you will see he makes it clear that adequate advance warning for a motorist is essential. There is no specific law in this regard to quote, it is simply common sense. Include a print out of page 141 with the appeal and request a copy of the traffic order. If it goes to adjudicator then include the adjudicators decision.

Their response is a mismatch of wrong information and they seem to have completely missed the point. How can the road just stop with no proper advance warning!

Frank Bayes, Bournemouth

02.12.09

CCTV PCN - inadequate cctv warning signs?

I was hoping you may be able to advise me if I have a case for appeal, for a PCN I recieved as a result of a CCTV enforcement letter which was sent to me in the mail.

I noticed a sign which said that the place I wanted to park in was a red route between 7 am and 7 pm, however it also stated that Loading was permitted for 20 minutes. I needed to go to the bank, and thought that this might be deemed as acceptable loading, as I would not be longer than 20 minutes.  The car is a Renault Clio, so not a van or goods vehicle.

A week later I received the PCN with a photo of my car in the Red Route.  Do you believe I can appeal on the following grounds :

There were no warning signs that you are entering a CCTV enforcement zone

The Association of London Councils Code of Practice says:

2.3.5 Relevant camera enforcement signs should be displayed in areas where the
system operates. The signs will not define the field of view of the cameras but will
advise that CCTV camera enforcement is taking place in the area.

Also, can I also appeal stating that it is ambiguous as to what constitutes loading :  ie If I needed to get boxes from the bank, then can this be deemed as intention to Load ? Thank you in advance for your help

Editor - Yes you can appeal on that basis as the case in the Wirral was successful on them grounds. Include details of that case with your appeal. Details on my website here.

Saul Zaidman

Nov 09

TfL yellow box Archway Rd Shepherd’s Hill

I welcome your advice and comments on the correct way to pursue this matter. ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it…’ to paraphrase a movie. 

The alleged offence took place on Archway Rd Shepherd’s Hill yellow box junction. I honestly don’t think that I committed the offence, on the grounds that my wheels were rolling and that the road ahead was clear or at least populated by moving traffic when I entered the junction.

And so I requested evidential proof. What I was offered shocked me. I have the option of visiting Croydon at my expense to view ‘the video evidence’ or ‘if you wish to obtain a copy of this video this can be made available at a fee of £10.00 which must be paid in advance’.  

My view is:- you said I did it… you prove it! This £10 charge appears to be either an additional penalty or indeed an extra disincentive to appeal -- which in other circumstances is forbidden to enforcement authorities. Where does the authority derive its right to withhold evidence until production of such evidential proof is paid for by the alleged offender? Doesn’t the penalty sum of £60.00 (within 14 days) allow for reasonable administrative costs of enforcement and isn’t provision of evidence such a cost?

I value your reply.

Editor - They will have to provide the evidence at some point, but unfortunately this could be at the adjudicator as there is no specific requirement for them to do so earlier for yellow boxes in the London Local Authorities and TfL act 2003. However obviously you cannot formulate an appropriate appeal without it and this will go in your favour at the adjudicator. The authority have a duty to consider your representations and by refusing to supply the evidence they are not fulfiling this duty I suggest you take it all the way but also look for any other discrepancies as a back up that can help you win.

Update – Martin did take the case to the adjudicator…

“Got a strange call on Friday from TFL saying that they were no longer contesting the case and I need not attend the hearing. I must say I wanted my day in court to discuss this abuse of taxpayer funding, but hey. Sadly of course the points about the box being filled up by traffic from behind my car, or provision of evidence without charge will not now be tested”

Editor - Congrats Martin. Unfortunately this is common tactic of authorities to pull out before the adjudicator to avoid public humiliation and a precedent being set. It allows them to carry on targeting other motorists in the same way without any come back. Anyway at least you won well done!

Martin Hedges, London

July – Nov 09

Excel Parking Services

Richard Thompson, Sheffield

21.10.09

Hackney PCNs are invalid - plus Mare St junction box invalid

Thank you for providing so much helpful information about challenging PCNs.

Today I successfully appealed against a PCN issued by Hackney council for a yellow box junction contravention.  The adjudicator upheld my appeal on the basis that:

(1) the PCN was invalid for failing to state the correct time limit for making representations (they implied it was 28 days from the date of the notice, whereas the correct period is 28 days from the date of service of the notice) and

(2) the yellow box junction on Mare Street/Paragon Road is invalid because it extends beyond the corner of the junction in a way which does not comply with TSRGD drawing 1044.

I’m sure this decision will be useful for anyone currently challenging a yellow box PCN issued by Hackney Council, as it likely they all use the same “Invalid” wording.  It will also be of interest to anyone else who has been issued with a PCN regarding the box junction at Mare Street/Paragon Road.

I have attached copies of:

(a) the PCN (showing the invalid wording)

(b) a photograph of the yellow box junction

(b) the Adjudicator’s decision

Editor - Many thanks for your email. It would be good if you could carry out a freedom of information request to Hackney asking how many tickets have been issued and paid at this yellow box junction. Also for all yellow boxes in the borough. Once you've got that, go to the local press and embarrass them. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it and should pay people back who have already paid. Also mention this site please!

Michelle Peters, London

 20.10.09

Which box to tick?

I recently contested a bus lane contravention on Clapham Park Road on the grounds that the bus lane signs and road markings were inadequate……….. The Notice Of Appeal form doesn't facilitate me appealing on the grounds of inadequate signs and road markings. what do you advise me to do? how do i fill out this form effectively? Help would be greatly appreciated. love the website, think you're doing a great thing.

Editor - "The contravention did not occur" is the box to tick

Sam Holloway, London

30.09.09

Loading  and Disabled bay

Fab website, I wonder if you know the answer. 

I parked in what I thought was a disabled space with my badge clearly on display, when I returned I got a PCN for parking in a loading bay. There was a sign with a disabled badge stating 6pm to 8am and above was a smaller sign stating it was a loading bay. 

Now the bay is 2 metres wide, I have challenged the PCN and the Ipswich Borough Council have stated that it is wide enough as it is a narrow road. There are no markings on the road such as Disabled or Loading Bay.

Your help would be much appreciated

Editor - Good news, loading bays must have the words "loading only" written on the road. So as this one doesn't, it is invalid. See here

Update - After forwarding my response to Ipswich with some harsh words of her own, Ipswich cancelled the ticket for Louise

Louise Coe, Ipswich

29.09.09

Thanks

Dear Ticketfighter 

Great website, I have just used it to draft a letter to G24 Ltd, PO Box 3320, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8WT for two notices.  What more can I do to say thank you other than to click on the adverts as suggested which I have done a few times. Is there anything I can donate to that is relevant to your website?  Thank you once again.

Editor - Many thanks for your comments and glad to help.  I set up the site for the love of it but I have just added a donate button.

Carla Hay

09.09.09

I would like to thank you initially for providing such a helpful site, its been really useful and so generous to provide this information all free of charge. I'm not sure if this is the correct method to contact ticketfighter so apologise if not but hope you can help me out by clarifying my query.

I need advice on whether to continue my fight. I was served a PCN whilst parking in what i thought was a free bay. The pcn I was issued is numbered (PCN01) for parking in a restricted area. On both sides of the road are double yellow lines with a no loading sign at any time at both ends of the street, on one side of the road there are 2 vertical yellow lines periodically but not on the other.  I had only just parked the car and walked away when the ticket was issued, after being observed for 5 minutes.

the ticket reads the following:

01 parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours 

Date/Time of Contravention : 20/07/09

Observation from : 11:50 to 11:55

I have attached a photo of the bay with no car in so you can see it has no markings within the bay and one of my car within the bay along with other cars.  I parked in good faith that i was not parking on yellow lines but an informal response from the council was that i was parked on the pavement and not in a bay.  I'm really confused because the bay is between the lines and the pavement. No lines run within the bay and I cant find any road markings anywhere else in sheffield like this or in the links to signs and marking on your site. There is no other signage.  Also i work next to this road and no other cars appear to be served tickets, they have no permits in their windows and one car parks every day with all 4 wheels on the actual pavement, yet doesnt get a ticket. My question is 1. Is this marking legal, and are they correct in issuing this number ticket 01? and 2. If it is why are no other cars being ticketed, surely they cant just single me out.  3. Do they need a TRO for this road, and should I ask for a copy of it. To me the markings are ambiguous and confusing. If the line ran within the bay i would not have parked in it. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Editor - The bay looks very unique and dodgy, I'd even go as far to say it's a trap. Unfortunately the yellow lines I believe cover up to the building line. Your offence code is for contravening them, not parking on the pavement. I would appeal based on the abiguity and also check the ticket to see if anything is wrong with that. Yes also ask for the TRO.

Clive Penny, Oxford

06.09.09

Editor - Unfortunately there are no specific regulations on how large a controlled zone can be, and thus how far away the signs are. However a case was won in Westminster in a massive zone where all entrances were not properly signed. If you can argue your case well (perhaps with a map) then you you could have a chance of winning. Also look for anything else a miss as per my site. I am in the process of helping someone else who has a ticket in Islington and their notice to owner is invalid.

Editor - No I can't find anything in the tsrgd that says that abbreviation can be used either! Ask them to prove it and let us know how you get on!

Box junction; request for evidence

I welcome your advice and comments on the correct way to pursue this matter. ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it…’ to paraphrase a movie. 

The alleged offence took place on Archway Rd Shepherd’s Hill yellow box junction. I honestly don’t think that I committed the offence, on the grounds that my wheels were rolling and that the road ahead was clear or at least populated by moving traffic when I entered the junction.  

And so I requested evidential proof. What I was offered shocked me. I have the option of visiting Croydon at my expense to view ‘the video evidence’ or ‘if you wish to obtain a copy of this video this can be made available at a fee of £10.00 which must be paid in advance’.

My view is:- you said I did it… you prove it!  

This £10 charge appears to be either an additional penalty or indeed an extra disincentive to appeal -- which in other circumstances is forbidden to enforcement authorities. Where does the authority derive its right to withhold evidence until production of such evidential proof is paid for by the alleged offender? Doesn’t the penalty sum of £60.00 (within 14 days) allow for reasonable administrative costs of enforcement and isn’t provision of evidence such a cost? Does Part Two Section Five of The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions ( England ) Representations and Appeals Regulations 2007apply in this instance and has it bee tested in regard to video evidence?

Editor - First of all the regs you quoted are for parking not yellow boxes. Please see this page for the relevant regs. They will need to produce the evidence eventually to prove the case and this can be at the adjudicator. Unfortunately they have no duty to provide it earlier so you can pay the £60 reduced fee. I suggest you take it all the way but also look for any other discrepancies as a back up that can help you win.

Martin hedges, London

28.07.09

Bus Lane contravention Southampton Row
 

Hi there, I've visited your invaluable site, and found similar challenges to this PCN. I made good use in compiling my appeal back on 26/6/09 

I've appealed using my pdf attached - but it's just been rejected whilst I was on holiday. Only have seven days left to decide whether to got to PATAS and wondered if you had any advice on likely chances.

My appeal was on basis that I entered the bus lane at last moment to turn left and joined a line of traffic (using your de minmis suggestion) - I missed the broken line by one taxi length since it was in front of me (as shown in the small picture) and gained no advantage at all and waited in a line for lights to change. I was seeking to follow correct Highway code procedure and avoid having to cut across a traffic line in order to turn left.

The pictures were inconclusive and formed the basis of my appeal. The Correspondence Officer wanted to get a full DVD which he's just sent me saying that I "enter the bus lane well in advance of the turning, before the broken lines". If well in advance is only one car length then there's no hope for any of us. What if any experience do you have on this kind of matter? Would it be worth taking further and if so do I still pay the PCN and then submit my appeal to PATAS or hold off and inform Camden to that effect?

Any help would be great - I am in incensed at the inflexibility of this authority but I guess it's par for the course.

Editor - From the pictures it doesn't look like you are in the bus lane are you saying the video shows different? I think carry on with the appeal as you have nothing to lose. Also look for any other discrepancies with lines, signs, the PCN and enforcement notice to back up your case should you lose on this point. I agree with you about their petty inflexibility, that's why I set up this  site, to fight fire with fire.

Phillip Woodford, Camden

27.07.09

Time!?

Hi Ticket Fighter, firstly, congratulations on creating such a useful resource for genuinely wanting to help out 'the little guy' as I like to call it :-) well done..

I need some advice as I was issued a ticket outside my house this morning - its all residents bays between the hours of 9 and 5 ...I don't have a residents badge as i normally leave before 9:00am - I came out of my house at (what I thought) as 9:00am on the dot but when I got to my car I had a ticket. 

the ticket reads the following:

Date/Time of Contravention : 24/07/09 09:01

Date/Time of service of notice : 24/07/09 09:01

Observation from : 24/07/09 09:01

Observation to : 24/07/09 09:01

forgive me for being dumb... but firstly this officer must have super fast typing skills to type out all this information plus where my car was seen  reasons to believe etc etc within 60 seconds... not to mention the time taken from when he'd spotted my car, parked his moped got off and THEN issued me with it??

I'm just so gutted about it surely there is some sort of time window / margin - how can I be assured that his time is relevant with my time? or the time on the pay&display machine? - or even with Greenwich Mean time for that matter???!! 

I am certain that he must have spotted my car at east 5 mins before times up, typed the ticket ready and printed it as it hit 09:01 am??? surely this is real foul play!! is there anything you think I can do?

Editor - How pathetic! Its reasons like this I set up this site. There is no minimum observation period unfortunately. If you believe you left at 9 you will have to write to them and deny it was 9:01. Tell them you departed at 9 on the dot as you do every day. The emphasis will then be on them to prove their clock was accurate. Also look for anything else amiss with bays, signs and the ticket as a back up. If it goes to adjudicator I think you will win.

Rena Danias

24.07.09

Yellow Box Challenge, Clapham

I was successful in an appeal against Croydon council at Patas this morning on the basis that the contravention did not occur. The ceo attempted to issue a pcn in less than 60 seconds whilst I went to collect a residents permit from the site office where I was working, so that I could make my parking legal on the day in question. In their case summary the local authority claimed to have conveniently lost their photographs, although when i produced one for the adjudicator  showing just my windscreen (No pcn attached) which the local authority sent me when they rejected my initial representations some months ago, he immediately allowed my appeal, yet refused to award costs despite the fact the local authority had acted in such an obviously underhand way, confirming in my mind that Patas isn't as impartial as they like to claim. 

I'm extremely angry at the way the local authority has treated me over the last six months and would like to bring a legal claim against them for unlawfully attempting to enrich themselves at my expense and subjecting me to continued harrassment for over the last 6 months. Like a growing number of decent law abiding motorists i'm sick of being treated like some sort of cash cow by local authorities who seem to act above the law and constantly get away with it. I feel like someone has tried to mug me, although to be fair to muggers, at least they have the decency to give you a smack in the face when they try and steal your money.
What legal remedies are now available to me to pursue the local authority in question? And are there any legal precedents from other similar cases that I could use when I serve the local authority in question with my intention to commence legal proceedings?
I'm not really bothered about the money I might be awarded, and would be happy to donate it to charity or the running costs of your website if I was successful.

I'm self employed and everytime I get myself a new job, I create work for other people. In finding myself new work, I create work for lots of people from plumbers and electricians, to planning officers and designers, yet all i get for my trouble is unfair stealth taxing, it's no wonder the country is in recession with thousands losing their jobs every week. I'm at the stage now where i'm beginning to hate this corrupt country and what and all the dishonest chumps in the government, have done to it over the last decade, and am wondering why I continue to bother working anymore.
I'm determined to bring a claim even if I have to set a new legal precedent in the process, regardless of time and cost to myself, as it's more a matter of principle now in my mind than anything. Millions of people have died for my freedom, and so I want to do my bit to make a stand against this highway robbery and the relentless march towards some 1984 style big brother police state!

Any advice or help with legal wording when I issue my notice of intention of legal proceedings would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Chris Nixon

PS fantastic site you have there, very informative unlike most out there on the web and i'm sorry for my ranting

Chris Nixon

Thanks to the advice we read regarding size of box and layout etc. We appealed against a ticket I was given on 27 Sept 09 when I was caught on camera stopped with my front wheels in the box but in no way obstructing
any traffic turning across the main road. When we looked at the video evidence, it seemed the box was far too long, stretched back needlessly far to before the lights and contravened the norms. The adjudicator
seemed to doubt that the box was the normal size and therefore questioned if anyone should be given PCNs at this junction as it stands.

We went to appeal last year in March 2008. We finally heard in February 2009 that our appeal "was allowed on the ground that the contravention did not occur". So this is a precedent worth keeping in mind if you are
ever issued a ticket at this junction. Editor - Nice one Fiona
 

These PCN’s were based on CCTV evidence. Appeals to Medway Council were rejected but photographic evidence to support the rejection related to a different section of High Street. I appealed to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and both PCN’s were cancelled by Medway Council ahead of the hearing. A freedom of information request to Medway Council reveals that 289 PCN’s were issued for the infringement in the same road using covert camera surveillance (i.e. there are no signs to indicate the use of a camera). My guess is they used the same photo’s they did with me.

Thought this might be interesting to anyone similarly caught and looking on the Internet for advice

Bus Lane sign

Just received a PCN for allegedly using a bus lane on my motorcycle at the bottom of Caledonian Road in Kings Cross (captured on CCTV). I always fight parking tickets, this is my first bus lane experience. Discovered thanks to your great site that the repeater signs may not be as required and have written a polite but firm letter of appeal to islington council.

Heres a photo of one of the signs, it seems the word "taxi" is not where it should be on a 959, also making the sign slightly different dimensions, and there are atleast 5 others identical to this with no correct ones present. The PCN they sent me (actually they sent two with the same numbers and dates etc; wasting postage if you ask me!) also does not show my numberplate, its two context shots from high up and far away, I assume they do have close ups though, just didnt feel like sending one to me. If im right about this, I will fight to the very end and I will let you know how it goes!

Another thing which helped some one i know out one time, when they recieved a fixed penalty for a speeding offence caught on GATSO camera: go back to the site and measure the lines on the road to work out how far you travelled in between the flashes... if the camera timer was malfunctioning, or you were breaking heavily, the average speed calculated from photos could be significantly (perhaps 5- 10%) different to the radar reading. On pleading not guilty the police may decide to not take the case any further, as finding their beloved GATSO to be contradicting itself would not look good in court.

Editor - Yes you're right Lee that sign is not valid

Lee, Islington

21.02.09

Bus lane success

Hello,
I must thanks 1 million times  TICKETFITGHER.CO.UK  because i  WON my case in borough of BARNET where i discover THEY have a bus line without the legal requirements.

Again the battle was hard. They "lost"  my first  letter, they replay the second one refusing  the appeal. But after 4 months they pull out 3 days before the PATAS decide my case.

The hard job is done but I lost time and money in letters, post mail costs, photocopies and internet costs, no mention my precious private time. But I am the winner; by any chance   i can apply for refunding costs due fighting or the penalty notice any good template in internet???

I want to give to ticketfighter.co.uk a donation but  i didn't  understand how.

thank again i am so happy  gio

Editor - You're welcome Gio, congratulations. It's typical for councils to pull out before the adjudicator. They know all along they are wrong but are just trying it on hoping people will buckle. Clicking on the ads generates a couple of p to pay the rent for the site!

Bus only street

hi - wonder if you can tell me if these signs are correct if not they will base my grounds for appeal
please look at pics your help and time would be appreciated - am i correct in saying bus cycle and taxi round sign should have another sign underneath saying ONLY and there is no taper line and the advance warning sign is the wrong type. thanks derek

Editor - Yes the sign has to be accompanied by "only" as per direction 20(1) from the TSRGD. Also the roadmarkings are wrong it should say bus only or and bus and cycle lane (rather than bus lane). There aren't any warning signs or taper for a bus only street like this. It looks like a very dodgy set up! Usually you'd have this at the start of a road not just bang in the middle like this.

Derek Brockhurst, Manchester

17.02.09

No PCN received

Hi ticketfighter

I received a notice to owner some time ago for my car (which I share with my son and he had at the time). No evidence was provided at all with the notice and
of course the reduced fine was not an option.

I took this up with Kingston Council and asked them for evidence. Nothing was forthcoming. the only way I got the evidence was to make the appeal. It was
received just before the appeal date.

The adjudicator has now told me that I need to pay the full fine and has said there is no statutory requirement for the Council " to serve all its evidence on the Appellant at the Notice to Owner stage; the evidence bundle is
delivered prior to the hearing at the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service"  They didn't serve any evidence at the notice to owner stage.

Surely this cannot be right?  How can this be fair and equitable? I would appreciate your comments. I am loath to pay this fine on the basis that full information was not provided to me as owner of the vehicle at the time.

Editor - Yes the adjudicator is right they do not need to provide their evidence till that stage. The system sucks I agree!

Margaret Yates, Kingston

15.02.09

Bus Lane pcn text

hello, I get ticket from barnet council for driving in a bus lane. I tried to appeal, but after almost 3 weeks they sent me letter which state they rejected my reasons for cancellation. I email them another letter which I am sending you below with another reasons for cancellation my PCN. My questions are 1) Do they have  to by law respond to my second email,or can they just wait,until my 28 days period run out and start make a legal actions against me?
2) I have found a mistake in PCN which has been sent to me. The last sentence state: If you want to challenge the Penalty Charge Notice, then you MUST write to us at the address provide above.
This is wrong because I have another two possibilities how to appeal. First is email you at your email adress and the second is fax yoiu on your fax number.
That means you gave me just 1 (one) option by the worlds "must write to us at the adress( 1 adress)

Thank you very much for your respond

Editor - Yes interesting point regarding "must write to us at the address" I think this could be grounds to appeal. Although there is no legal requirement for the council to offer an email or fax service so it may be up to an adjudicator to decide this point and to be honest I think they would decide against you. You should wait until you receive the enforcement notice before appealing again.

Peter Pospisil Barnet

13.02.09

Wrong road on PCN

I've been issued with a penalty notice, but the location is stated as Shirland Street which does not exist, the address is Shirland Road.  Is this enough to render the penalty charge invalid? Also, are you allowed to stop on a single yellow to have a telephone conversation or consult a map?

Editor - Yes I think it is enough to render it invalid. Stopping on yellow lines is usually allowed for picking up an dropping off passengers, or loading where permitted but nothing else during restricted hours.

Sonia Strauss

13.02.09

Bus only street in Brent

Hello,

I was looking your web site which is lots of help and information. Thank you setting up such  a good web site.

I would like to ask your help. Brent Council changed the roads and the road I used to drive is blocked,

This is not busy road whatsoever there was no cars or any buses in sight. I had  no choice but drive this road about approx 15 metres length of the road.
Council  not  left any   sections for motorist. This road   not a busy road therefore bus lane was totally unnecessary. I am sending  a map  as attachment for you to look. Because the way  changed the roads I had no options to drive because there was no other way I could  go the road I was  driven to Twyford Abbey Road.
Also I was lost by the new roads I did not  know where to go.

Are  there any  regulations which sets out that  under what circumstances  they block/close the road preventing drivers  or was council  should have consider the motorist ? leave section to drive through?
I am planning to appeal this ticket  because this road did not needed  a  bus lane  as it is  not a busy road?

Bus lane is in Bodiam Way I would appreciate any advice/guidance  you  are able to give

Editor - Bus only streets are perfectly legal but just like another case below this ticket has been issued under the wrong act. This is a massive mistake by Brent. It should've been issued under the London Local Authorities and TfL Act 2003. The 1996 act is for bus lanes.

Naz Meray, London

29.01.09

Editor - Did you apply to PATAS for a review in the interests of justice? They should've granted this I'm very surprised. Its an offence to supply false information. The high court is an option for anyone not just councils. What information was false, did they lie? if so I think (but am not sure) but that is a criminal matter so maybe the police if PATAS refuse.
 

3 tickets for same offence

I was sent a PCN for partially parking on the kerb (in a London Borough) on 23 Nov which I paid promptly on same day I received it - 2/12/08. On 18/12/08, I received two more parking tickets for the same offence (the photographic evidence show the car was in the same place) - this time the purported contravention dates were 25/11/08 and 26/11/08. Can I be prosecuted twice for the same offence? Won't it be akin to double jeopardy if I am. Additionally some residents of the same borough have told me they received written warning not to park on the kerb which I didn't receive. If we are all supposed to be treated equally, can I use this in my defence in my appeal? Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.

Editor - No you can't be ticketed twice for the same offence as long as your car hasn't moved. Although if it's on a different day you may be able to be, I'm not sure. No you can't use the fairness argument officially but mention it if you like as well as the previous paid ticket and they may take it into account. Be sure to check the ticket for compliance as well.

Austin Iduoze, London

31.12.08

Pedestrian Zone

i recently received a parking ticket for " (01)  parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours". however, on the street i was parked on there are absoulutly no signs or road markings, i have photos of my car and showing the surrounding area, which clearly show there are no signs or road marking on the street. but, to get to this street i came past a sign, i have attatched a photo. this sign is 2 streets away tho

as previously mentioned there are no marking watsoever on the street i was parked. please see the attatched photos and share your oppinions on whether i could win an appeal or not

Editor - This is a pedestrian zone and the sign and regulations governing it can be found here. No other signs or roadmarkings are required within the zone as long as all entrances are signed. Having a quick look I don't think the text on the sign you sent a photo of is a permitted variant of diagram 618.3. Especially with that dodgy black tape, The word 'and' should be inserted at the last item but they've used it wrongly. So I think this is your get out clause. Hope that helps!

Damian Chisholm

20.12.08

Yellow Box

Hello I've just received a PCN from Islington Council, for entering a yellow box in Drayton Park junction, N5. The contravention date is 10/09/2008 and the Notice Date is 17/12/2008, I just wonder is the 28 days serve notice period still apply? The last post I read about it was in 2007 there might be changes I didn't know. What is "run right up to the kerb"? does it mean to have one corner included inside the yellow box? as the one in Drayton Park has 4 sharp corners...

I was moving forward when someone then pulling out from parking, I stop but my front wheels were already in the box, but I wasn't obstructing the other junction, there are plenty of room and there wasn't any traffic... I would like to know if I could appeal, this is my first ever PCN since passing my test a year ago...

Any advice would be welcome, many thanks again!

Editor - Yes the 28 days limit comes from section 6 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003. Run up to the kerb means it needs to touch the kerb, as per the diagrams on this site. Hope that helps.
 

Heidi Ng, Islington

18.12.08

Warn markings

Got a ticket outside my own house which is a residents parking zone. My disc was displayed but a peice of paper on the dash had ridden up the screen and partially covered up the details on the permit. Received a letter today cancelling said ticket. However the ticket did encourage me to dig into the rules and regulations and compare them to actuallity. I suddenly realised that the road markings we virtually no existant as years of wear have obliterated most of them.Indeed the ones that do remain bear no relationship in measurements to drawing 1028-4. On my travels around the borough not one of the residents parking zones appear to conform to the official drawings. Attached are photos of the bay outside my house. Could I confidently challenge the council on the grounds that they do not conform, should I have any further tickets in the future

Editor - It's subjective whether or not markings are too warn out but those are non existent so yes definitely! I can't believe any council could enforce them, what a joke!
 

Dave Rimmer, Wirral

17.12.08

Box junction Battersea Rise

One of your correspondents, Gareth Turner, has a message about the box junction at Battersea Rise and Northcote Road.

I have had the same experience.  One of my company vehicles was issued with a penalty charge for stopping in the box junction in June.  Having checked your site, I made representations that the box junction was illegal in that the corners did not go right to the pavement and the lines were wrongly painted as they did not go to the corners. I also cited the Traffic Signs Regulation 29 and Part II of Schedule 19 as you suggested.  I included photographs.

TfL rejected my claim on exactly the same grounds as Gareth, also not mentioning my submission.  I persevered and appealed.  TfL submitted plans, statements and legal arguments why it was a legal box junction.

I just got the result of the appeal today.  The adjudicator has instructed TfL to cancel the PCN on the grounds the contravention did not occur. (there was a note that it would appear that TfL supplied the wrong penalty notice)

I take that to mean they don't want to admit in writing that the box is illegal.  Bottom line is they dismissed it!

Ticketfighter - again you have helped me successfully defend a PCN.  If Gareth wants to contact me directly I have no problem with you giving him my email and I will let him have my letters and photos.

Thanks again, Ticketfighter!  I owe you a drink or two

Editor - You're welcome Colin and congratulations on this excellent news!

Colin Miller, London

16.12.08

Unlawful no entry signs - Kingston

Brentford Magistrates Court were told that No Entry Signs at EDEN STREET, KINGSTON were erected UNLAWFULLY by Kingston Council in the they had no TMO. This came to light in the case of IT worker Adnan Majeed, 27, when the court agreed with him that the red signs were only "advisory". The case was dimissed.
 
However, The Metropolitan Police and CPS contuniued prosecuting drivers, probalbly through ignorance!
My son recieved a summons dated 22/09/2008 for exactly the same offence.
He wrote to the Police demanding the summons be withdrawn, and it was. Following further communication with Kingston Council, the no entry signs were promptly removed.
 
Some drivers will already have pleaded guilty/been found guilty, have their licences endorsed, their insurance increased, possibly losing their jobs & homes because of UNLAWFUL ROAD SIGNS.

Tony, Kingston

12.12.08

City of London Zone

Currently invalid, all entrances are not signed, I just defeated a ticket on this basis.

Andrew, London

08.12.08

Parking bay markings

I have a parking ticket issued after failing to renew my parking permit (my fault, relying on the reminder notice that never arrived).

However, the bays where I live (within Hammersmith and Fulham), including the one I parked in, are virtually all marked incorrectly with two white lines on the end rather than just one. The bays do not have individually marked bays, they are just long parking bays for numerous vehicles. The bays concerned are for permit holders or pay and display ticket holders.

Based on your previous experience of this contravention would it seem likely an appeal would be successful? It seems identical to the Ealing situation.

Editor - Yes definitely. Appeal on this basis. If they reject the appeal, take it all the way to the papers and publicly embarrass them (quoting this site please!).

Guy, H+F, London

06.12.08

Discount payment period

Dear All,
I have just won against Harrow Council PCN issued dated 25/01/08 it states that "if paid before end of period of 14 days beginning with the date of this notice the amount payable is reduced to £60.00.
BUT the having kept the envelope the council posting  unit date of post was 6 days letter ie 31st Jan as stated in the envelope with the actual date of delivery to me was 2nd  Feb.

I added 14 days from the date of receipt ie 2nd Feb and on the final day made the reduced payment of £ 60. which Harrow accepted. But then Harrow stated that the due amount was the full £120 so a additional 60 was required. I refused with court fees etc ended up
through a debt collection agency a claim of nearly £758.00 I wrote to the chief executive with the following:

The 14 days period must be from date of receipt and not date of notice and can be legally challenged:

1. The council uses 2nd class post :
Royal Mail states : this is not a guarantee delivery service and further states "Second Class mail aims to deliver your letter or packet by the third working day after posting no guarantee and only aims to delivery .

2. The actual date of posting could have been even longer then Date of Notice, it could even be after 14 days. the council has now record of actual date of posting against the date of notice.

Therefore unless the Harrow council had used Royal Mail   next day guarantee post  the date of notice was a vaild date for payment was invalid. Under the current position motorist need only pay the reduced £ 60.00
as there is no record of receipt of PCN within 14 days.

Harrow cave in. I suggested they change the PCN notice to "14 days beginning with the date of recepit" They are taking legal advice. So only pay £ 60.00 on PCN in Harrow  and challenge council if they have a record of PCN delivered to you giving you 14days. So the option the council has is to issue under Royal Mail next day
guarantee post delivery service which is £ 5.65 if they don;t change the wording on the PCN,  Do think council has that type of money and will stick to the 2nd class 27p post service.

Ravi Shah, Harrow

Pay and display machines

I found the website very helpful but I haven't been able to find much information on where pay and display machines should be sited.

I parked my car in a parking bay directly in front of a pay and display ticket machine and purchased a ticket which I correctly displayed. I assumed the bay where the machine was located was for pay and display. Unfortunately I failed to appreciate that this parking bay
was for residents only and the parking bay for pay and display was on the other side of the road from the machine. There is only one machine in the road for a small pay and display bay. The rest of the street is
all resident parking. I can find very little guidance on where pay machines should be situated. It would seem logical to locate them where the pay and display bay is and not on a residents parking bay.  Do you have any views on whether I would be able to successfully appeal the parking ticket I received due to the confusion caused by putting the machine alongside a residents parking bay and not the pay and display bay? Many thanks

Editor - I don't know of any legislation regarding the positioning of pay and display machines. You can try and appeal on these grounds but also look for anything else amiss as per this site.
 

Jean Thomas

02.12.08

Yellow Box junction in Batterea

Gareth Turner, Battersea

02.12.08

Appeal

Your's is a great website and helped me in appealing against a penalty charge notice from Ealing  Council. The yellow box junction in question is South Road / St. Joseph's Drive, Southall.

I posted my appeal on 16th October by recorded delivery which was received by the Borough on 17th October. to date I have not had any response. Is there any legally prescribed time limit by which the Council must reply?

Your clarification whould be most helpful. I have shared your website with all my motoring friends.

Editor - The only time period is that the notice to owner needs to be sent within 6 months of the ticket being issued.
 

Gurmit Lally, Southall
 

01.12.08

Stopped for safety reason

At the beginning of the month I was going home from work and got to some traffic lights by Lambeth North tube. The back protector in my jacket had moved and was very uncomfortable, it was restricting the movement in my shoulder and prevented me from making a "lifesaver" look over my shoulder. The lights changed and I rode about 500 yards down the road, found a clear space in front of a bus stop (with only single yellow line) and pulled in.

I had to remove my gloves and back pack and rearranged the back protector, I put my backpack and gloves back on and rode off. I would estimate I was stopped for no longer than 2 mins (possibly 3). I sat on the bike the whole time, with the engine running and lights on.

I was amazed to get a parking ticket from a CCTV camera with a fine of £120 (£60 if I pay up straight away) for "Parking or loading/unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions are in force".

It was 18:33 in the evening, I was in nobody's way, on a clear road. The camera time shows me stationary for about a minute.

If I'd parked or got off the bike to go to a cash point or pop into a shop then I wouldn't feel so bad about this and would probably pay up. But I feel that as all I was trying to do was make sure I was safe to continue riding the bike that this is a bit of a stitch up.

I the first still I was replacing my gloves and in the last still my hands are on the handlebars and I was about to ride off. I would welcome your comments.

Editor - It's stories like this that make people so angry with councils. Appeal on the safety grounds above and I would be amazed if the council reject your appeal. If they do, keep the safety grounds in subsequent appeals but look for any other grounds as per this site.

Chris Hoskins,
London

28.12.08

Parking bay with yellow line

Hi there. I'm hoping you can help me. I recently received a PCN from Hounslow Council for, quote, being 'parked on a yellow line where waiting, including loading or unloading was prohibited at the time'. However, where this single yellow line is located, there are also six marked Pay & Display parking bays, one of which I was parked in, with a valid ticket adhered clearly to my passenger-side window. I am trying to fathom how the council can use the single yellow line restriction against me when I had legitimately paid and parked within one of the assigned parking bays. I have lived in the area for the past six years, and have parked in the same location more times than I can remember.

I am attaching two photos that I sent to the council with my letter of appeal. The council has subsequently rejected my appeal, stating the exact same reason as in the original PCN. I now have 14 days to pay up at the discounted price, or take the case to an adjudicator.

I would be interested to know your thoughts on the matter. Many thanks indeed for your time.

Editor - Yellow lines can be provided with a parking bay. However the restrictions needs to be signed together and in this case they're not. From your photo the only signs appear to be for the parking therefore you were parked legitimately.

Matt Dettmar, Hounslow
 

26.11.08

T Bars

hi there interesting web site you have here,i got a ticket for being parked on a double yellow line,not as i seen it causing any obstruction to any other road users(double yellows = no stopping at any time,we all know this but often we nip into a shop hoping we will avoid the councils ''nazi'' parking attentants) in this case the picture taken off the rear of my car clearly shows there is no Termination Bar at the end off these lines where they then meet a parking bay,throughout this borough they terminate some double yellow lines with said T-BARS & not others when they meet a parking bay,even in the same street one side of the road will be terminated as per said guidelines the other not lol,so they do follow the guidelines,but they dont lol,anyway the following was the adjudicators decision....... 

THE ISSUE OF THIS APPEAL IS WHETHER THE SAID VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESTRICTED STREET DURING THE PRESCRIBED HOURS,

I AM SATISFIED FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE THAT THE APPEALANTS VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON DOUBLE YELLOW LINES,IN ADDITION THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOT T-BARS AT THE END OF THE YELLOW LINES WHERE THEY MEET ANOTHER PARKING RESTRICTION.

so it seems to me that local authoritys do as they please,ignoring these guidelines,but one would think that any responsible council would at least follow guidelines as laid out for them so we all have a fairer borough,in this case id like to say thanks to GREENWICH ''NAZI'' COUNCIL,IT'S ALL ABOUT GREED & CORRUPTION

John, SE London

26.11.08

Bus lane with no taper

In the TSRGD, Direction 17(1) says sign 958 may only be placed on a road with roadmarking 1010.  No variation appears to be permitted.  On the other hand, the TS Manual says in a Pelican crossing controlled area no other signage can be used.  From a legal point of view, if because of a crossing occupying a large part of the 30m before the bus lane starts a 1010 marking can’t be used, are they not wrong to be using a 958 sign?  It’s not obvious which Regs take precedence.  The bus lane In question runs from the railway bridge over Westminster Bridge Rd south towards Lambeth Tube crossraods.  Sign 958 is there under the bridge, some 50m before sign 959, but there is no taper line at all on the road.  Can you advise?

Editor - I think its very clear from your pics that the regs haven't been followed and the bus lane is thus invalid. Both the 958 and the 1010 taper should be placed after the pelican crossing. A motorist driving here would be suddenly hit by the bus lane, without the benefit of a taper to allow them to change lanes safely.

Update 16/04/09 - I thought you would be interested to know that the authority, Lambeth, decided just ahead of the hearing not contest this appeal.  The hearing was due for today. Best wishes, and thanks for your help

David, Lambeth

23.11.08

PCNs, yellow boxes and bus stands

I just wanted to say that your site is brilliant!  I am responsible for making representations against PCN’s for my company – and we get a few!  Your site is a must for anyone looking to challenge PCN’s.  (I have a 97% cancellation rate).

Just a couple of points.  I don’t see it anywhere on your website, so I thought this gem might be helpful to your readers.  Yellow box junctions have, by law, to be at the junction of “two or more roads” to be legal. I have had several cancelled when this is not the case. One in particular outside Camberwell Bus Garage. The local authorities seem to like putting box junctions outside such places as Bus Garages.  Obviously this is not at the junction of two or more roads so the box junction is illegal.

I have had a PCN issued for stopping on a ‘Restricted Bus Stand’  Would you know if there is a legal difference between a ‘Bus Stop’ and a ‘Bus Stand’?  the vehicle was actually on a Bus Stop, and I can’t see anywhere where there is restrictions on the stop.  Also as you see in the pic, the words “Bus Stop” have been obliterated by road works.  Do you know if this makes the ticket invalid, please?Thanks again for all your work.

Dusty

14.11.08

Parking box and yellow line

I have a problem of confusing signage. In front of my building is a white parking box with a single yellow line going all the way through it (double yellow before and after the white box). Sign show “No parking at any time” exactly the same as for double yellow and under it a white sign “Except busses on match days”. Confusing. Is it a white parking box with restrictions or a single yellow with additional concessions? Is it possible to be both? I have never seen something like this. What that “monster creation” is? Legal or illegal?

Sasa, London

14.11.08

Being in a bus lane - bath tourist

Angus

09.11.08

Bus lane ticket

Manjit, Ealing

07.11.08

Footway parking

Daphne received a ticket for footway parking in a safe location on Eastern Avenue whilst loading. On the road where double red lines. The offence code was "Parked with one or more wheels on any part of an urban road other than a carriageway (footway parking)"

Editor - Footway parking is illegal all over London and no signs are required. However you weren't parked, you were loading and this is your get out clause. Provide proof of this (a signed delivery note or something to that effect). TfL is correct in that the no stopping red route restrictions do extend to the property boundary. However this isn't what you were ticketed for, they can only get you on the offence code you've quoted.

Daphne, Redbridge

06.11.08

Bus Lane

I have received ticket and have found that the initial sign is in excess of 30 m from start of taper (http://www.ticketfighter.co.uk/bus.htm). It is approx 45-50m or so.  Also on that page it says:   ‘If you enter the road with the bus lane from a side road you may see one of these signs. Ensure the hours of operation (if any) are the same as those on the main road.’ Does there have to be signs in side roads?

Paul, Harrow

03.11.08

PCN: Date of service

Both my tickets do not state 14 days from date of service of notice for reduced payment but states 21 days instead.  I want to appeal on this basis and a number of other areas also. Can you direct me to where it states 14 days from date of service of notice in the London Local Authorities Act 2000 because I can't see it there at all???

Like I said this site is first class and I will let you know how I get on with my tickets. Many thanks for your efforts

Editor - Thanks for your comments. The reference to 14 days from 'date of service of notice' is section 4 (5) c. This relates to the 1991 act, section 66(3)(d) which if you scroll up the page on my site you will see refers to 14 days. Hope this helps.

Mark, London

02.11.08

T bars

Great website. I have picked up the baton on your behalf on fighting for incorrect t-bar termination to be grounds for dismissal of tickets. Adjudicator is ruling on the case in the next week or so. Interestingly he has adjourned because he needs to see the back of the PCN to see whether it complies with the Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions Representations.

I suspect the ruling will become Case Law if it is found in my favour. Will let you know.
 

Cameron

01.11.08

Incorrect detail on PCN

I have received a PCN from Barnet Council  -code 27 for parking adjacent to a dropped footway. The ticket correctly shows my car make & registration no but says it's colour is blue whereas my car is silver. Does this invalidate the ticket? Editor - No it doesn't as the colour of the vehicle is not a requirement for the ticket. However you could still try your luck with the council as they may not know this.
 

Alan Brown

20.10.08

Yellow Box

A big thankyou, you helped me save £120.  It was a yellow box fine which I felt motivated by your website to appeal, and won!  For others who may be caught: it’s in Peckham High Street at the junction with the Bus Station, heading westwards.  Actually there are two yellow boxes separated by a short distance.  Both are there to help buses enter and exit the Bus Station without getting blocked by traffic – which is not unreasonable – but dozens of people get caught out every day because drivers can’t really see ahead sufficiently well to decide whether to stop and wait or move on with the traffic.

I discovered that the main diagonal in the YBJ road marking does not run directly into the corner of the box, and therefore does not conform precisely to TSRGD 2002 S.11 (1) which states that “a sign…specified under a diagram in Scedules 1-7…shall be of the size, colour and type shown in the diagram”.  I therefore asked TFL for a copy of any letter of authorization from the Secretary of State for Transport permitting this variation.  They didn’t answer. At the hearing the adjudicator eventually took on board these technical issues after quite a lively discussion, and decided that TFL should be asked to attend a second hearing to answer them.  TFL couldn’t be bothered to reply the adjudicator’s letter, let alone attend a hearing.  So he found in my favour and ordered the fine to be quashed.  Editor - Glad to hear of your story, it warms my heart! Funny how TfL go all quiet when in the wrong. They need to be publicly shamed and embarrassed!

David, Peckham

10.10.08

Definition of bus

Gary, Enfield

03.10.08

Barnet parking ticket

Hi
I got a ticket after putting the pay-and-display on the window instead of the dashboard, since the wind prevented me from putting it on the dashboard.

I just noticed that the PCN *does not* contain my vehicle registration, only the tax disc number. Is that grounds for defining the ticket as illegal per your page on parking tickets content? See below the email I sent to the parking authority. Editor - The ticket is not valid. You shouldn't have even written to them as without your registration details they can't find out who you are.

Dani, Barnet

03.10.08

Observation time for parking ticket

Julie Johnston

02.10.08

Parking Ticket
 

Hi, i have just recieved a parking ticket. I was possible in the wrong but i am not sure. I was half parked in a `Mon-Sat 8am - 6pm, 30 mins No Return within 30 minutes` bay and half on double yellows on a street. I was only gone for 20 mins, and on the notice it says the reason is `Parked in a restircted street during prescribed hours`. Observed from 16:15 to 16:21, however the space for Time ticket issued on the noticed is left blank. Do you think i have a case to appeal? I have yet to check out the yellow lines to see if they are properly painted. Editor - As per the TMA 2004 the ticket must contain the time the contravention occurred so I think they may have covered themselves by that observation time.
 

Glenn Davies, Newcastle-under-Lyme,
 

29.09.08

Success

I have just got off a double yellow ticket issued by CCTV by London Borough of Southwark as the ticket referred to 21 days to pay 50% not 14 and the time on the photo was two minutes after the time for the ticket. I am not sure which grounds they accepted but thanks. I am now also fighting an enforcement notice for a bus lane CCTV ticket from Lambeth Council because I did not receive the PCN and they did not thus give me a chance to pay 50%, I can’t remember being their after so long and they did not mention Para 2 of Sch1 of the London Local Auth Act 96. Without your help I would be £180.00 down. I have already saved £60.00 and hopefully another £120.00 to come. Thanks a lot. Editor - You're welcome

Mike, Peckham

26.09.08

Unloading Passengers In Unloading Bays!

Enfield

25.09.08

Bus only street

I recently received a PCN from brent council for a contravention in bodiam way park royal. My appeal has been rejected. i'm about to appeal again ( i think ) i would just like to check a couple of points.
On their reply, brent council state in one particular paragraph:-
 
Bus lane restrictions are explained in the highway code where it clearly states that motorists cannot travel along or stop on a bus lane. The bus lane in question is clearly signed and timeplated. Also the surface of the road clearly stipulates the boundaries of the bus lane. Driving your vehicle along the bus lane was in clear contravention with the parking and driving regulations. The council believes that every driver should know how bus lanes looks like( yes this is what they wrote, it is not my grammar:- every driver should know how bus lanes looks like.) and that the motorist should take adequate care whilst driving to avoid the issue of a PCN against their vehicle.
 
In the above they state that the bus lane is clearly signed and timeplated, well i would disagree that it is clearly signed and none of the signs that i recall have any time markings on them, i believe it is 24/7 but it is not stated and they say it is timeplated.
 
My questions are, 1/ do the signs need to be unobstructed, in clear view. 2/ is not having a tapered line acceptable in this situation 3/ i have not seen the yellow and black signs before, not sure if they are acceptable
4/ should i continue to appeal
 
thankyou for your help

Editor - This is a unique situation as it is a bus only street as opposed to a normal bus lane. The normal rules don't apply and the signage requirements are shown in page 141 of Chapter 3 of the Traffic Signs Manual. In this case I think the signs are correct. I will update my site to show this info.

The language used in Brent's letter to you shows what we are dealing with. Foreigners and sometimes illegal immigrants working as parking attendants and in the councils who can barely speak english let alone understand complicated parking law.

james mcdonald, London

24.09.08

Ealing NTO

I am constantly doing battle with Ealing Council over parking tickets etc. (I have the time you see). I have just received a refusal to an appeal I submitted over a year ago!! Is there no expiry date for such things? Editor - If this ticket was issued under the 1991 Road Traffic Act, there is nothing as far as I can see in schedule 6 that stipulates a maximum time period to issue the notice to owner

Pete, Ealing

22.09.08

Dropped kerb

Hi I have just received a ticket for parking adjacent to a public  footpath( a dropped kerb). It is a residential street with no parking  restrictions except for disabled bays. I normally would not block someones driveway but the house is empty as it is being sold... we  have a nine month old baby so try and park as near to our house as possible. We have parked in this spot alot over the last 10 days and no problems have been reported, suddenly we have been given a £200 towing fine coupled with a £60 penalty fine can you please help. Is there anything that I can do to fight this. With no markings and no signs it seems highly opportunistic, can you please advise. Editor - Parking alongside a dropped kerb is an offence and doesn't require signs.

James, London

22.09.08

Kingston problem, exactly the same as the article involving Ealing problem

Brilliant job you're doing! My girlfriend received a PCN whilst parked outside my house in Kingston but the bay is marked incorrectly with the two white lines at one end, as with the recent Ealing case. We have appealed written them a letter stating it's marked incorrectly therefore the ticket is not valid. But they have rejected our appeal, they acknowledge that the bay is marked incorrectly but still say that we are in the wrong because it is in a residents parking zone. Should we take it to the adjudicator? Editor  - Yes definitely. Councils don't use discretion when giving out tickets and neither should drivers when fighting them.
 

Joe, Kingston

20.09.08

Success story

Hello, We received a FPN for entering a yellow box in Camberwell New Road back in March 2008.   We decided to appeal the FPN. We read through much of the information that you provide on your web site and it was a great source of information to us to lay out our appeal.  Briefly, the morning we were caught was a dreadful winter storm at 7.30 am on a Monday morning. The traffic was horrendous as was the weather. We crossed from a set of lights and were get caught in the queue for the next set of lights on Camberwell New Road, and we ended up in the yellow box, with nowhere to go. We did not see the yellow box because of the weather and also we later found out because of the markings being so poor. We appealed in the first instance, to which we received the documents to go to adjudication. These documents were full of errors! Firstly, our address was wrong, secondly, the car registration was wrong and thirdly, the DVLA information was wrong on the registered keeper of the vehicle. We catalogued all this information to the adjudicator and we received a notice that the hearing was going to be in June.   We then heard that it was postponed, and we never heard anymore until today, when we received the letter saying that we had won our case. We collected as much evidence as we could. Considering that we don’t live in London, we had to do a lot of trawling on the internet and family helping us out.   However, we could write reams about the case of all the do’s and don’ts, but what we want to say is :- Don’t give up the argument, present all your information in a concise manner, including photographs and Google maps and don’t take the first refusal.   It has taken us 6 months to get the fine dropped, and we believe to get the Transport for London to paint the yellow box, and admit that they were wrong!!!   Good luck to all in a similar situation. Thank you to your web site for the useful information that we gleaned. Editor - You're welcome!

David and Evelyn, Peterborough

16.09.08

Success

We were given a PCN in Symonds Yat, nr Monmouth. We had parked in an area not marked as pay & display. We followed your advice and challenged the fine & were very suprised to receive a letter saying they had cancelled it! It's definitely worth fighting these people. Thanks very much for your helpful info. Editor - You're welcome!

charlie inman and sarah-louise youngs

13.09.08

No signage for road

3 of us were ticketed for parking on a single yellow line at 7pm one Sunday in Edgware. PCN said parked in restricted street during prescribed hours. We had checked carefully that there were no signs at the entrance of the street. But Barnet have rejected our appeal claiming "There is no need for additional signs for yellow lines within a Controlled Parking Zone as all the yellow lines are restricted as per the operational hours of the Controlled Parking Zone". They claim the correct signage is in place for where the penalty notice was issued as the restrictions for parking are on zone entry time plates, one of which is located on Road X.  Road X is the road which joins the street where we were ticketed. Is this valid ? Having no signs at the entrance the actual street ? How far away can the sign be ?  We don’t  think there is one within 100m of the junction with Road X.  Does the TRO need to explicitly name each road that has restrictions? Editor -Yes this is valid the yellow lines within a controlled zone don't need to be individually signed. The TRO should state the extent of the zone and the streets contained within it. Also both sides of the road at all entrances must be signed as per the info on this site.

Jim, Islington

11.09.08

PCN Yellow box junction

I appealed to TFL against a PCN at Christchurch Road/Priory Road Merton. The box is 25m long – the size of an average swimming pool, and is on a bend, and on a dip in the road making it difficult to see your exit . The cash register ( whoops I meant cctv camera) only shows the last 10 metres or so of the box. Or in other words the part  you get stuck in enabling them to note your index number. I appealed on the grounds that the pictures did not show me entering the box.  Of course the appeal was dismissed by TFL out of hand with a large portion cut and pasted irrelevant to the appeal. I noted if I dared to appeal to the independent adjudicator, and lost TFL would charge me a further £60 making the full fine payable.  Everything is time limited, weighted in favour of TFL, and I can ill afford to throw another 60quid down the drain, so I am not proceeding further.  TFL did advise not to proceed into a yellow box until the vehicle in front had cleared the box and there was sufficient room to proceed.  Cynical if you ask me.

Clem Richards

11.09.08

Ealing Council

TSR, Acton

09.09.08

Ealing Council

Given that Ealing are continuing to enforce even though they are fully aware that the bays do not comply with  government legislation, can they be taken to court and sued by motorists? The government ought to remove their right to carry out enforcement this is criminal. Editor - It's a grey area Derek but I agree their actions are criminal and something needs to be done. It needs someone to take them to the high court as a test case

Derek, Hounslow

06.09.08

Ealing Council

re your story on Ealing Council, thieves are the only words i can use to describe them. How can they be allowed to get away it? The parking services manager should be in prison for fraud.

Stuart, Acton

06.09.08

Bus Lanes

A Bus Lane Traffic Camera has been installed at the Cambridge Road - Hawkes Road junction in Cambridge Road, Kingston, Surrey. It is not set to catch people deliberately driving in the bas lane but specifically set to catch the many people that nip in the last few feet of the bus lane to avoid hold ups of the traffic turning right.

I would have thought it would be acceptable to enter a bus lane if there was an obstruction in the road that could only be negotiated by entering a bus lane, also if it was necessary for safety reasons or to avoid an accident, perhaps even to allow the passage of an on-call emergency vehicle. All the above on the basis that the exit was clear, did not block or obstruct a bus lane or create an unsafe situation.

Is there further advice on this?

Editor - Unfortunately you can't drive in the end of a bus lane if there is a right turning queue. The council should reduce the length of the bus lane prior to the end of the right turn queue. The fact they haven't sounds like they are using it as a cash cow to fleece motorists and is exactly the reason this site exists.

The photo of the offence should also include a zoomed out contextual shot so if there are mitigating circumstances such as an emergency vehicle this can be seen. Be sure to appeal if this is the case.

Alan Greenwood, Kingston Surrey

04.09.08

U turn

I've just received two tickets for making an illegal U turn. The thing is, on one occasion I turned off of the main road completely before turning around, and in both cases, the sign says no U turns for 150 yards, but there's no sign saying that the restriction ends, are motorists expected to know when they've driven 150 yards? or should there be a sign? Editor - Diagram 614 from the TSRGD gives the regulations regarding the no u-turn sign. A distance can be added and unfortunately there is no direction showing a requirement for the "end" sign to indicate the distance. A no u-turn prohibition requires a traffic order so ask the council for this.

Steve, London

29.08.08

cctv

hi, would it be possible for me to photograph my vehicle, copyright the
 photos, then when i recieve a pcn via cctv, can i then sue for breach of copyright Editor - Lol don't think so Les but give it a try and let us know how you get on!
 

Les, London

01.03.08

Liability

I responded to a letter asking for payment of a ticket from a private car park by asking that they send me evidence of who was driving the car at the time, so i could establish liability. They responded by stating that their Parking Regulations point out that liability lies with the "registered keeper". However, even with my basic understanding of contract law, i'm confident that this does not establish who accepted the offer and therefore the ticket would be invalid. Is this correct? Surely this catch-all would not stand up???!!! Ed - You are correct, it's the driver who allegedly enters into the contract. Don't be fooled by these cowboys!
 

Michael

28.02.08

Broken anchor tag link

Hey there, just been looking through this amazing site but thought you'd like to know the link from the parking page which should drop the page to the "controlled zone" sections is missing the "c" and as such doesn't work. Cheers Sasha :) Ed - many thanks Sasha!

Midlands

27.02.08

PCN by post

I stopped briefly on a single yellow line to go into a shop, whilst in the shop, I saw a cctv vehicle pull up so I left the shop, got in my vehicle and drove off.I then received a PCN through the post.
The contravention was, 02 Parked or loading/unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions are in force. The cctv footage shows me get into my vehicle and drive off. Have I any grounds for appeal? Ed - Not on the basis you've stated, only on any other factors on this website such as signs, lines, traffic order, the ticket etc.
 

Geoff, London

27.02.08

No white lines bulkhead
 

As per diagram 1025.3 are a series of parking bays (not individual) where the road curves off like a bus stop, however there is no row of single white lines and in fact the double yellow lines encroach into the parking bay. If a ticket was issued would it be valid? Ed - Yes. According to the permitted variants for parking bays "The transverse line may be omitted when the marking is placed in a lay by"

Stephen, Birmingham

26.02.08

Yellow line in CPZ
 

Hi I was given a ticket for parking on a single yellow line at 18.59 in a CPZ in Fulham. My ticket said I had "parked in a loading gap marked by a yellow line" I have never heard of a loading gap before. The yellow line had no other markings or signs and was between 2 resident bays and was in front of a row of residential houses with no driveways or entrance that could be obstructed. Also the attendant wrote down the colour of my car as black when infact it is blue. Have I grounds for appeal?
Thanks for your help. Ed - It's an offence code which applies to a yellow line between 2 bays. If you were parked during the CPZ restricted hours then appealing will be difficult. The colour isn't that much different so I don't think you would succeed on that basis but worth a try as well as any other factors on this site.

Liz Tucker, Fulham

24.02.08

Yellow box

Your advice please sir, my car only just entered a yellow box, the 2 front wheels only, i couldnt reverse because of car behind me, have now received £60-120 fine, can i appeal ??? Ed - The offence refers to any part of the vehicle in the box. You can of course still appeal on any of the other grounds on this site
 

mr lendi, London

23.02.08

Faulty Ticket Machine

Ed, can you please help? I received a parking ticket from Hammersmith & Fulham on 18.02.08 but wondered if it was legal because there are two ticket machines in the road concerned (Adelaide Rd, W12). One of which had a sign on it reading 'Do not insert coin - out of service, please
 use an alternative machine'. There was no such sign on the second machine, but never the less it would not accept my coins and was clearly also out of service. Am I expected by law to trapse around surrounding roads on the off chance I might find a machine that works? Trouble is, the fine is for £120 which will be reduced to £60 if I pay within 14 days,
 but they will not give me details of how to appeal until after 28 days. So if I want to appeal I've got to gambe with a further £60 which I find outrageous. Any advice would be gratefully received! Ed - I think if the ticket machine is not working you can't park there. You can try and appeal by sending your appeal to the address for payment.

Phil, Feltham

20.02.08

Bus gates
 

Very confused about the regulations regarding bus gates. Recently got PCN for accidentally using the Bus Gate at Argyle Street in Bath. Do signage and road marking regulations for bus lanes not apply to bus gates? The one in Argyle Street in Bath is a joke if you're not a resident. The warning sign is tiny (and I mean tiny!) and the road surface is not coloured or marked in any way at all! Bathnes council wrote to me to explain but it all seemed like weasle-wordy nonsense to me. Ed - A physically separated bus gate would normally be signed as buses only either through a round blue sign or no entry except buses.
 

Lee, Cornwall

19.02.08

Warning Stickers
 

Hi, is it legal (in scotland) for operators of private car parks (shopping centres) to put stickers on car windows? You know the type, that take ages to scrap off. Ed - Not sure, sounds like criminal damage to me
 

Warning Stickers, edinburgh
 

18.02.08

Box Junction

I have received a PCN for stopping at the edge of a box junction. I was not causing a obstruction and the lines are not clear. In fact they have faded so much that I could not see where the end of the junction was. I have paid the fine, but I wish to make a representation.
Am I justified in doing this? Ed - Nope. Paying is taken as an admission of guilt and it is then to late to appeal
 

Amanda, lewisham way/parkfield road
 

17.02.08

No Loading during restricted hours tickets

If I get a ticket that says that I was parked in a no loading area in restricted hours, do those restricted hours have to be stated anywhere? Ed - Yes unless it's a clearway which is 24 hours. It could also say "No loading at any time"

Kevin, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire

12.02.08

Parking bays on red routes

Can you put me onto a site with details of specifications for boxes or are they the same as general parking bays. Looking forward to hearing from you. Ed - This site includes red routes in the parking and loading section

Ted, Surrey

08.02.08

Different timings on road signs
 

I have been issued a PCN for parking on a road which was indicated as having restrictions in place from 8.30am-6.30pm by the signs at the end of the road at 7.20pm.  When I looked closely there are small signs that mean that parking controls are in place along the majority of the road from 8.30am-8.30pm.  Do you know of any precedent for contesting a PCN on these grounds as it seems to me to be entrapment or do you have any advice on this issue of differing timings? Ed - This sounds very confusing and i suggest you appeal with photos showing the confusion. However within a controlled zone there is allowed to be separate restrictions as long as these are signed properly. Sorry I don't know of any previous appeal cases
 

Tom, London

06.02.08

WHAT IS MEANT BY RESTRICTED HOURS

I recieved a ticket for parking in a designated loading bay for not been seen actively loading during a 5 minute spell. Firstly where does this 5 minute law come from as the loading bay sign has no time stipulation on it and i am a bona fide market trader secondly regarding the wording on the PCN contravention code 25 it states during restricted hours. Again what is meant by this seeing the sign says loading only and nothing else and thats exactly what i was doing. Thanks in advance. Great site. Just what the motorist needs to fight back.

TONY SLINGSBY, Doncaster

03.02.08

Additional Information on Bus Lane signs
 

A BIG thank-you to you & your excellent website!

I found from Chapter 3 of the TSRGD on your web site that the Advance warning sign, Diagram 958 should be placed between 30-45m in advance of the Diagonal taper. Diagram 1010. Further that there should be visibility to the sign of between 45-60m... depending on the speed of the road.

However, there are lots of areas in LB Haringey where the Advance sign is far less than 30m and the signs are not visible from a distance of 45m.I am making this clear in a representation that I received for Turnpike lane, where the sign is just 8.5m in advance and only comes into view 25.5m away due to a bend in the road. I was wondering why this is not highlighted on your bus lane section ?
 It is an excellent web site and  free...

Ed - That is true and thanks for that. Please note though that Chapter 3 is guidance only and a new version is due out soon

Tony Barretto, London

31.01.08

Yellow Box Markings
 

I've been fighting a yellow box pcn since September with the help of your site.  LB Waltham Forest have just dropped the case a few days before it was due to be heard by PATAS!

One of the many points that I had made was that the markings of the
 junction didn't go right to the kerb - in fact in one corner they were a considerable distance from the kerb.  Can I just double check with you that these would have been reasonable grounds for appeal - LBWF had already confirmed that no special approval had been given by the secretary of state.

The reason I ask is that this junction is very new and has caused considerable controversy with hundreds of tickets being issued every week. It has had much adverse press coverage so I thought that if I was sure of my facts then I could report it to the papers.  Is there any way LBWF could be forced to repay PCNs already issued?

Incidentally, the other points I made were:-

- CCTV camera was blocked by a lorry at the point that we entered the
 junction so no evidence recorded;
- when the lorry passed it showed the junction was clear so clearly no
 offence had been committed ( we were later forced to stop by a car swerving across our path)
- wording of PCN not compliant ("date this notice was served")
- PCN didn't specify precise location of junction
- charge certificate issued when PATAS appeal pending
- temporary no entry sign had been placed alongside the box junction
 (i.e. the road the junction was protecting was blocked off anyway!)

I'm staggered that LBWF pursued the appeal as far as they did but thanks to your site for giving me the ammunition to fight it.
 

Richard, London

24.01.08

Double yellow lines
 

Great site!! I've just been given a ticket for stopping on double yellow lines in Camden......The lines are very thin (about 1 inch thick), and on looking at the road marking section on your site, can I appeal by saying the lines are non compliant with traffic regs?? It says they should be 75 mm. Ed - Check diagram 1018.1 here- they can be a minimum of 50mm thick.

Pat, London

22.01.08

Bus Lane PCN
 

I have been issued with a penalty charge notice for being in a bus lane. The notice date is of 45 days after the event. I heard that if such a charge notice is issued 28 days after the incident, its invalid. Can somebody please confirm
 

James Bowden, London

19.01.08

£60 PCN for parking on single yellow line although
 Blue Badge holder
 

On Monday January 14 I parked on a single yellow line in Buckner Street behind Lambeth Town Hall at 9.40 a.m.  I could see no signs relating to parking restrictions but later there was one that was obliterated by a parked box van.

I had to attend a meeting at Lambeth Town Hall and had no time to check the whole length of this street for traffic signs.  It was more than too far for me to walk directly to the Town Hall from my car as I suffer from sever back pain.

The extra distance involved in walking the full length of Buckner Street and back again would have meant that I would not have made it to The Town Hall as I would have been in intolerable pain.

I live in Hammersmith and Fulham and it is not an offence here to park on a single yellow line if you have a disabled badge.

Why are the parking rules not standard throughout London - it is an absolute nightmare. I avoid parking anywhere in Conservative controlled boroughs as their
 parking regulations are quit draconian.  Westminster and Kemsington and Chelsea only recognise their own disable badges - blatant discrimination.

I have to survive on an Incapacity Pension so £60 is a small fortune to me that I cannot afford.  The car is my only luxury as otherwise I would be totally housebound.

I feel that I am a victim of the very poor signing in Lambeth Borough and consider it unfair that I should have to pay because Lambeth is too cash-strapped to erect clear and visible signs.
 

Peter Hartwell, London

17.01.08

i brought a ticket but the penalty notice guy did not see it therefore i was charged £60 fine in milton keynes
 

Ryan, Luton

16.01.08

Hi! Great site by the way, very informative. I have received a parking ticket from a rail operator for parking outside of a parking bay and allegedly causing an obstruction. There are no signs or markings where i
 was parked. At least 7 vehicles around me were also parked outside of bays and had not received tickets. My vehicle was not causing an obstruction and i have photos of its position and others around it. The notice gives me 7 days to pay in full or face prosecution. There is no phone
 number just simply an address which payment must be sent to. There is a
 date but no time of offence. Wuld appreciate your thoughts! Ed - This sounds like a dodgy private parking ticket. Check that section on my site for advice.
 

Steve, Leeds

15.01.08

WARDENS PARKED "ILLEGALLY"
 

I would like to know if traffic wardens are parking illegally whilst they are actually giving out tickets to the general public.  This happens all the time where I live.  My Local Council told me they were exempt
 but I'm not sure I believe this.  Does anyone know? Ed - They may have a dispensation to park or it could be written into the traffic order that council vehicles can stop. In any case these new CCTV vehicles are still blocking the road, the rest of us get £120 fines for doing that!
 

Linda Savage, Chingford
 

14.01.08

ticket not signed
 

If you are issued a parking ticket, is it void if the attendant has not signed the ticket after it has been issued? Ed - No, a signature is not a requirement in the legislation

Steve, Leicester
 

06.01.08

If a ticket is overturned once, does that set precedent for tickets for the same offence?
 

I have recently appealed against a PCN for incorrect signage in a bus lane outside my place of work. (Thanks for that ticketfighter!).  If the council were to cancel the ticket, does this mean that I would be able to use this as a precedent to appeal all identical future PCN's, thus indirectly allowing me to park in this bay? Ed - Each PCN is looked at on its own merits. If the circumstances are exactly the same then yes you can use it as a precedent and refer to it when appealing. However its likely that since you pointed out the defective signage they will fix it quickly.

Rick Webb, Leeds

04.01.08

Parking ticket

I was parked on double yellow lines for 2 minutes, and when I returned the attendant was issuing the ticket. I got in my car and as I was driving off she put the ticket loosely on the windscreen. She did not take a photo of the car with the ticket on the windscreen. Can I get away with it?
Ed - That would probably count as putting it on the vehicle. A photo is not required. There are of course many other ways you could get off as listed on the site...

Ben

29.01.08

Yellow box junctions
 

I found your section on this subject very interesting, especially as I am at present contesting a PCN sent to me.
You state that the notice must be sent to you within 28 days, and looking at the London Local Authorities & Transport for London act 2003, I would agree with you. However this offence under section 1 of The Road Traffic Offenders act 1988, requires a Notice of Intended Prosecution to be sent to you within 14 days. If a PCN is sent to you after 14 days it can not act as a Notice of Intended Prosecution, and it is my opinion that they can not legally continue.

You guessed it, thats what's happened to me, and I'm contesting it. I'll let you know how I get on.

If I'm right it's worth letting people know this, as I bet that many are sent out late, and in the spirit of the law, NIPs are so that you are able to remember the day so you can defend yourself. I actually think that 14 days is too long, especially now we have computerised form sending. If the person witnessing the offence has done his notes at the time,( or soon after ) as they are require to do so by law these notices could be sent out quicker so the alleged offender at least had a chance to remember the incedent.
 

Boxer, Herts

13.12.07

PCN

how could i have had recieved a PCN even though i was at work, during the time of the incident?

my car was parked in my driveway, i always log my mileage (that had'nt changed when i got home)and now i have to pay £100 for being parked 10 miles away in another borough?
 

Sol, London

08.12.07

Bus Lane penalties
 

In your piece on bus lane signage, you state " A sign which has no
 hours of operation operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week". You also state "all signs denoting the bus lane should have consistent hours and days of operation. If they don't then this is grounds for appeal"I am confused. Which is the correct statement?

This is important as I have been given a fixed-penalty ticket for
 driving in a bus lane which had no hours of operation. The Policeman told me because of that, the lane, by default therefore operates 24/7. In Brighton we have many other such bus lanes and signs with no operating times, unlike London where all such signage has times and days {I think} even those operating 24/7. I assumed, with no times and days, the lane prohibition isdiscretionary and not mandatory. Have I gotgrounds for appeal?

Ed - Both the statements are correct and the policeman is correct. A 24 hour bus lane is not required to have any hours of operation on the sign. In some places they do state 'at any time'. However this is for information only and is not a mandatory requirement. Consistency is the key point. For instance if one sign has no hours (thus by default operating 24 hours) and another has 7-7 then that would be inconsistent.
 

Nigel Davis, Brighton

05.12.07

Yellow Line running within a parking bay
 

Does anyone know if a yellow line can run within a parking bay. I got a ticket as the yellow line can into force after the bay had finished? I think I am in the wrong but would just like to know. Ed - yes a yellow line can run through a parking bay
 

Michael, North London
 

04.12.07

blah blah
 

yeah its actually the road traffic act 1991 not 1984 that we enforce just for all your info
 

traffic warden, northampton
 

01.12.07

Traffic Signage
 

Dies anyone know of a website that can show traffic signs active at a specific junction?

I Have just received a penalty charge for "failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign" whilst turning right at the junction before the sign! How desperate can TFL be.......

M Gooch, London EC1
 

28.11.07

Bus lane parking

I have been incorrectly given a bus lane parking ticket by Ealing Council. I am certain I am right because they are available Sundays but my only query is I had pulled over from left side of road and parked on the right (ie: I was parked facing oncoming traffic).  Does anyone know if this could be the reason I got a ticket?  I think I will still win anyway as the contravention they quote seems dodgy too. Any thoughts?  Thanks!

Andrea, London

26.11.07

Parking tickets!

A BIG thank-you to you & your excellent website!

 
I successfully appealed a ticket that I recieved at 08:20 am on a Sunday morning! I was parked on a single yellow at Dewsbury town centre & Kirklees council had put the sign informing motorist of the parking restriction on a Sunday morning around a corner & uphill - away from the town centre.

Call me cynical, but I think it's a revenue scam earning the council £30 for every ticketed vehicle & as most people wouldn't appeal it's easy money.  The charges involved with a ticket are downright scandalous - at the very least the charge should be linked to the offenders income, as £30 to a parking offender on £60.000pa is nothing compared to an average joe. Thanks again for the excellent advise.
 

Steve Maiden, West Yorkshire
 

22.11.07

TfL Congestion Charge PCN's

Good site. Just missing information about Congestion Charge PCN's.
 

John, London

18.11.07

Money thieving councils
 

I cant believe how easy it has been for councils to issue tickets as a means for easy money without actually following the regulations themselves. Furthermore, they dont even get fined when they are in the wrong. How F*****g unfair, money grabbing scums! They make so much money, yet they dont train their staff on the regulations, and most cant even speak english! Disgusting! I say its time the councils started paying up for their wrong doings. Who's with me?
 

North West London
 

17.11.07

Bus Lanes - Watch out in Oxford

I have lived in Oxford for 5 years and abide by the regulations regarding restricted access through the city centre between 7:30 and 18:30.  I was therefore very suprised to receive a penalty notice stating I had been driving there on a Saturday at 17:30.  I requested to see the video footage before paying up -and low and behold while arranging the appointment to view it, they rang me and told me the penalty was an error - and I was never there at that time.  I wonder how many people this has happened to that just paid up!!
 

Liz, Oxford

15.11.07

Parking Ticket Cancelled
 

I got a parking ticket from Leeds City Council earlier this year, after parking for 2 hours in an area limited to 1 hour only. As I work for the council, I contacted their own legal advice team who provide legal advice for employees. Following their advice, I appealed the ticket and won - the parking attendent had not signed the penalty notice so it accepted as being invalid.

Phil, Leeds

13.11.07

Unfinished Lines what to include

I often get tickets as I tend to know the rules better than they do but
this is one of my tips.

If you get a ticket for parking on a yellow line and it is not finished correctly or warn away include a printed copy of this articlehwith pictures of the line and your car parked or just proof of the line not finished on that road and you should have no issues.
 

David Curley, London

24.10.07

Dropped kerbs

Anyone got any ideas of how to appeal a £250 tow away and ticket fine for parking in front of a dropped kerb on a suburban street ?

Spros, North London

17.10.07

Tickets & Penalty Charges
 

Two can play at this game.

If your Council or the Government gets ANYTHING wrong, sue them. Even if they don't get it totally wrong, create hassle - they issue tickets willy-nilly without making sure that all the regulations are in order.

 
In any case, for them parking and other fines are a money making exercise designed to create aggravation for the rest of us, conditions under which most of us will pay up as we don't have the time. Remember SUE.

Frank Ewell, London
 

9.10.07

CCTV

CCTV is the new killer, gone are the days when you could take a quick risk if there are no wardens about. Big brother has arrived!

Roger Hanfield, London

23.08.07

Why can't they target real criminals in the same way they target illegal parking with no mercy?

Kevin White, Hackney

11.08.07

Simple

I don't get these angry motorists. If you don't want a ticket, don't park illegally, simple!

Confused

02.08.07

Regardless of whether or not the ticket is valid, appeal anyway just to piss off these money grabbing f**kers

Hilary Smith, Watford

25.07.07

Illegals

Many parking attendants are illegal immigrants who can barely speak english let alone understand the rules. time to deport them.

David Heckler, London

15.07.07

Enforcement

where's anglegrinderman man gone???

12.06.07

Fines

About time the councils were charged when they get it wrong

Rebecca Eastwood, Cambridge

20.04.07

K+C

The wardens in Kensington and Chelsea now have to walk with the police, such is the anger of motorists! But then again its quite good, stops the scoundrels giving out false tickets

Daniel Payne

30.03.07

Yellow boxes

Yes some yellow boxes are a killer. I got stuck in one where there was a bus lane after the junction. People were pulling across and blocking the exit so they don't end up in the bus lane. I paid up but hadn't if i had read this first! Nice money pit for the council.....

Steve Norwood, London

26.03.07

Yellow boxes

The yellow box information is interesting. The way tickets are packaged up by TfL or whoever it makes you think there is no escape. On the contrary...

Trevor Hamwood

26.03.07