PCN on Boxing Day

frankieboy_2

Was probably at fault, not knowing that prescribed parking hours are also enforced on Bank Holidays but was so wound up that I had a rant, which will probably do me no good.....


Birmingham City Council


Although having checked signage and the time restrictions ‘from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday’, I was unavoidably detained and returned to my vehicle at 1.10pm after some 15 mins away to find I had been issued with a PCN. I understand that during a routine week when this road is a link between the city centre and towards the west of

frankieboy_2

Birmingham, Moseley, Kings Heath etc there may be restrictions in place to facilitate the flow of traffic better. However on a Bank Holiday, which although falling on a Friday had all the hallmarks of a very quiet Sunday, probably making me believe it was a Sunday, I cannot see why this would still be in force. May be subconsciously I was aware of certain parking restrictions that are waived in the City Centre itself on Christmas and Bank Holidays which may have had a bearing on my perception. Although this was on Boxing Day would the same still have happened 24 hours earlier on December 25th? If not on that day, then why on the 26th? And if so on the 25th then perhaps I should be congratulating your department on it’s dedication to duty.

frankieboy_2

Further more why is there not the uniformity across the board for Council Employees at this time of the month. On the reverse of the PCN under the section headed ‘How To Pay’ is states ‘In person at the Cashiers Office at 1

frankieboy_2

Lancaster Circus or at

frankieboy_2

Waterloo Street, Friday 8.45 - 16.15 hours ’. Why am I not able to hand in my letter there today or to make a cash payment if I choose to? Why are those offices closed? Why is nobody answering the phone today for my query on the available numbers? There is no mention with regards to those facilities being closed on Bank Holidays on the PCN. If the CEO’s are working today then why not the Administration behind it? From the original 14 days or 28 days to pay am I to assume I have lost a day today or even another on New Year’s day because YOU wish to take the day off whilst your colleagues are working? There is no mention of 14 or 28 ‘working days’ or to include weekends. This would mean a person issued with a PCN in November would have three more days than a person issued with a PCN in mid-December, as the latter would lose 3 days in the form of Bank Holidays when you were not open, as that they could not be present in person.

frankieboy_2

On another note, under the section with regards to’ Challenge this PCN’ if one legitimately wishes to challenge, query or plea as soon as possible ie within the first 14 days and it is rejected, even within those 14 days, I cannot understand why the privilege of a reduced charge is automatically withdrawn – and may be considered…
Is this scare tactics for ‘shut up and put up with’ so that public pay up? Then how can one legitimately have dialogue with yourselves? Obviously the notion of paying £35 over £70 is a better one – but I have I now forfeited that right by questioning the authorities that I continuously pay into for these very services???

frankieboy_2

I can only hope at best that there may be some leniency on your part.


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(Is there a limit to the amount of characters here per message, sometimes I seem to only type in three words, sometimes a whole paragraph???)

Neil_B

So was that actually an informal challenge you submitted?

It would have fitted in just one post?

Quite emotive (understandable) but seemed like a lot of questions? I shall try to answer them.

Bank Holiday restrictions? Yes correct unless signed to the contrary or, if you really want to push research, then maybe incorrectly signed but mentioned in the Traffic Regulation Order for the location.

Option to extend the discount period - B'ham say 'amybe' do they. All ok. It isn't their fault as it is discretionary and nothing compelling in law. Some say definitely, some say definitely not, most say as B'ham do.

Holidays interrupting the 14/28 day period. yep good point but legally irrelevant. In terms of deadlines to pay/appeal intervening holidays have no effect - and it works both ways - for you and them. Holidays only count in terms of the deleivery of postal documents.

On payment office being closed. As far as I am aware, although debated recently, there is no requirement for such. Only a postal address is required but someone may correct me. In any case it won't get you anywhere. Christmas happens, it's not a surprise.

I did like your points about why can they be on the streets but not in the offices - but again - not going to get you anywhere.

Also, unfortunately, B'ham PCNs that I have seen are legally compliant so no avenue there.

Your only hope is through inaccurate or misleading signage/road markings for which pics are needed. TRO avenue may also be interesting if feeling ambitious.
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frankieboy_2

Thanks for you reply mate, .

What is TRO?

I don't know about it being formal or informal challenge - just followed the instructions on the back of the PCN where it said either write to the council or email them 'if you believe the penalty should not be paid and you wish to challenge this PCN'.

My 14 days will be up this Thursday, i'm thinking it prob worth paying up, in case they say sod off at a later date and offer me no discount and want £70 instead.

frankieboy_2

oh ok TRO is Traffic Regulation Order