I've parked there for 15 years, so I didn't look up!

jellymid

Received my very first PCN yesterday after parking near the local town. I have parked here for 15 years approximately twice a month- far enough out of town to have 2 hours free parking. However last month the council changed it to permit holders only in that area. I just hadn't looked up and seen that the sign had changed - same post - nothing else had changed.

I concede that I was parked illegally, so is there any point in appealing, do you think? Further up the road a new lower level post and sign has been erected, but I didn't pass this on my way into town.

The fine is £70 reduced to £35 if paid in 14 days. I would rather pay £35 than £70, but obviously would rather pay nothing.

It's so ironic, I park there to save having to pay in the town centre carparks - very mse.

Any advice gratefully received.

Hadeon

Hi jellymid,

On the basis of 'if you don't ask you don't get', you have absolutely nothing to lose by informally appealing this PCN within 14 days on the basis of what you have stated in your post.
You made an honest mistake after the rules had changed - politely request that under the circumstances the Council consider excercising their discretion & waiving the penalty charge on this occasion.

Even if they don't accept your representations, you will still have the opportunity to pay the reduced rate.

There may be 'issues' over the wording etc of the PCN & the TRO governing the new restrictions if you wished to pursue them, but no harm in trying the above first.

Good Luck.

jamespir

as i see it ignorance is not an excuse

Coupon-mad

IMHO, it's got to be always worth checking with pepipoo.com to see if they can find a way out for you. I would ask them for their opinion on ANY Council PCN even if I felt I was 'bang to rights'. Some posters on there have appealed several PCNs and won every single time.

Councils often prove themselves to be ignorant of signage and PCN wording regulations, as well as motorists sometimes being 'ignorant' of signage!

Here's the link to pepipoo, read the FAQs and post up pics of the front & back of your PCN, all the wording except your ID details:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30

They can often find flaws with ticket wording and/or with bay lines and signs. If they can find you some solid appeal points then you very probably won't have to pay if you brave it out and appeal to the end of the process. Often Councils pull out just before adjudication if they are concerned about a finding against their PCN wording or bay painting. Doesn't matter if you were in the wrong, if you can show that they were in the wrong too!

Can you get pics of the bay lines & signs - including the markings at both ends of the long bay? If not, then look on Google Streetview and see if you can show the pepipoo forum posters where you parked (although the Street view may be out of date and the lines may have changed so this is a last resort really).

HTH

Hadeon

Anyone who's never made a mistake, has never made anything.

peter_the_piper

Definitely the council????

jellymid

Thanks all, I'll give it a go. I'll let you know how I get on.