Pavement Parking

lady64

Hi

I recently got a PCN for parking on my street. It said contravention of code 62.

I had not realised that it was illegal to park on the pavement in London, until I got my ticket. Neither did several other residents who too have incurred PCNs

The council painted broken lines on the pavement last December. They had sent letters informing residents that the lines were to indicate areas of permitted footway parking.

However this letter failed to make it clear in what context these lines had been painted i.e. whether it was in relation to the amount of space pedestrians, wheelchair users etc were entitled to have, in order to pass safely along the pavement, or whether is was in relation to London wide ban on pavement parking.


At the top of my street there is a sign with a car with 2 of its wheels on the pavement which I understand indicates that my street is exempt from the ban.

I have informally challenged the ticket and I'm awaiting a response. I must add that I challenged this within the 14 day time limit so even if I'm not successful I would still be eligible to pay at the reduced charge.

I stated that not only was I parked in a street which was exempt from the ban but that the exemption sign should have clearly written underneath 'Within the marked bays only' as some London councils' pavement parking signs have clearly indicated in areas that are exempt from the ban.

Was it worth it to challenge the notice

Advice greatly appreciated

4743hudsonj

lady64 wrote: »

Hi

I recently got a PCN for parking on my street. It said contravention of code 62.

I had not realised that it was illegal to park on the pavement in London, until I got my ticket. Neither did several other residents who too have incurred PCNs

The council painted broken lines on the pavement last December. They had sent letters informing residents that the lines were to indicate areas of permitted footway parking.

However this letter failed to make it clear in what context these lines had been painted i.e. whether it was in relation to the amount of space pedestrians, wheelchair users etc were entitled to have, in order to pass safely along the pavement, or whether is was in relation to London wide ban on pavement parking.


At the top of my street there is a sign with a car with 2 of its wheels on the pavement which I understand indicates that my street is exempt from the ban.

I have informally challenged the ticket and I'm awaiting a response. I must add that I challenged this within the 14 day time limit so even if I'm not successful I would still be eligible to pay at the reduced charge.

I stated that not only was I parked in a street which was exempt from the ban but that the exemption sign should have clearly written underneath 'Within the marked bays only' as some London councils' pavement parking signs have clearly indicated in areas that are exempt from the ban.

Was it worth it to challenge the notice

Advice greatly appreciated

i would have thought not

"ignorance is no defence"

it is indeed illegal to park on pavements anywhere and i beleive it to be pretty common knowledge

this means that just because you didnt know, does not allow you to not be punished, ie of somebody came to this country and inflicted on gbh on somebody not knowing it was illegal, they could not rely on not knowing to be let off

id just pay tbh
but its worth a challenge, if they deny your in the same position.

cajef

Highway Code

Introduction and rule 244

Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’.


Rule 244

You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs

KeithP

lady64 wrote: »

The council painted broken lines on the pavement last December. They had sent letters informing residents that the lines were to indicate areas of permitted footway parking.

Doesn't the bold bit above explain things?

The broken lines indicate areas of footway parking.

So, if you park outsite the broken lines, you are parking outside the area where footway parking is permitted.

There really isn't another way to explain it is there?

p00hsticks

I think this thread would be better off on the 'Parking Fines, tickets and Parking' Board

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=163

dmg24

4743hudsonj wrote: »

i would have thought not

"ignorance is no defence"

it is indeed illegal to park on pavements anywhere and i beleive it to be pretty common knowledge

this means that just because you didnt know, does not allow you to not be punished, ie of somebody came to this country and inflicted on gbh on somebody not knowing it was illegal, they could not rely on not knowing to be let off

id just pay tbh
but its worth a challenge, if they deny your in the same position.

As well as being illegal, I find it incredibly inconsiderate.

McKneff

Its not just common knowledge, its common sense.

Stu666

Although the law says otherwise, I do not see the big issue with pavement parking. Providing you leave enough space for pedestrians to get past, what is the harm in making life a bit more easier for other road users and thus reducing the chance of a collision?

superscaper

Stu666 wrote: »

Although the law says otherwise, I do not see the big issue with pavement parking. Providing you leave enough space for pedestrians to get past, what is the harm in making life a bit more easier for other road users and thus reducing the chance of a collision?

I guess you have wide pavements where you are but in my experience vehicles tend to either be not on the pavement at all or a huge inconvenience to pedestrians, many a time I've had to actually walk on the road around vehicles.

McKneff

Stu666 wrote: »

Although the law says otherwise, I do not see the big issue with pavement parking. Providing you leave enough space for pedestrians to get past, what is the harm in making life a bit more easier for other road users and thus reducing the chance of a collision?

Its not just pedestrians, it' prams, wheelchairs, kids pushing bikes.

Reducing the chance of having a collision is solved by parking in a proper parking place, not on or half way on the pavement.


But lazy motorists cant be bothered to park further down the road or in a proper car park. To be honest i would double their fines just for their arrogance, and yes i am a car driver.

ChrisCobra

Pavements are for pedestrians , or were you also born in a barn ?

How are parents with pushchairs or even double pushchairs or even wheelchairs gonna get past with your lump of metal in the way?