PCN issued but restriction signs were conflicting

Steve_L_4

Yesterday, we got a PCN in a situation where we thought we'd parked legitimately.

It was a bay of parking places we often use, which has a notice saying "Monday to Saturday 9:30-4:30 30 mins, no return within 1 hour". We parked on a Saturday morning, at 8:30, for 20 minutes, and were aghast to see the PCN on the windscreen.

On closer inspection, we noticed a second, smaller sign further up the post, citing a further restriction of "Mon to Sat no waiting 7:30 to 9:30" which we hadn't seen (in the years we've been using these spaces!)

This seems to be unfair and misleading, and we want to appeal. Is it worth it, and does anyone have experience of similar situations?

Coupon-mad

Most Council PCNS can be successfully appealed with help from pepipoo. There are almost always more appeal points than you think! Pepipoo forum, register here:

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

Read the FAQs and stickies first and make sure you include a picture or scan of the wording on BOTH sides of the PCN (just blank out the PCN number and car reg). Don't post without pics.

I would always appeal any Council PCN to PATAS/adjudicator stage. Think of it as a long game with the odds in your favour, but expect to be declined at the first hurdle (informal appeals are usually rejected as Councils just want the money, it doesn't mean you have no case). Pepipoo will explain more, you need to be aware you are only risking possibly having to pay the full fine (non-discounted) if you are unsuccessful, no costs or anything. But most win.

multiflorum

Its always worth appealing a PCN you have nothing to lose other than time and effort I know my local authority generally squash most peoples ticket if its their first and a genuine mistake.

To be brutally honest though not sure that the signs are misleading or unfair as from reading your post its clear that there was a restriction in place and was clearly signed as you have said both signs were on the same post and were visible its just a case you had seen the one telling you when you could park but not the one telling you when you couldn't

You could check your local authority website to check the Traffic Order for the area you were ticked in as they are not always in 100% agreement with the signs

Out of interest was there a single yellow line running the length of the bays