Fixed penalty notice 151, contestable?

Swafe

I know this may be my fault, so if Im totally in the wrong, woops is all I can say, I felt I was fine parking where I did anyway so this is the story, been parking just on the road near my local station so I can get the train into uni, never had a problem before yet today I returned to a parking ticket.

It was a code 151, for causing an obstruction.

I wasnt parked over anyones drive
No yellow lines, or parking restrictions
Nowhere near the junction

Only one thing was... I had 2 of my wheels on my pavement.

I know this is probably wrong, but its a relatively busy road (and normally everyone parks in this way with no problems, altho I kow this doesnt make it right)

Now Im guessing the obstruction was that the pavement was obstructed by my car, however the pavement is quite wide and there is still plenty of room for any pedestrians to get by, if I had parked totally in the road, its a legal place to park however as its quite a busy road and people come down it quite fast despite it being a 30MPH zone I feel that it would be pretty unsafe as I think there would be a good chance I would get hit by someone,

So,... maybe the rules were not totally followed, I should have had 4 wheels on the road, however I feel this would be unsafe and could potentially cause an accident and would be much more hazardous, or do they expect me to park in the road and cause an accident just so that I follow the law to the word?

Im just a bit annoyed as I've not got a parking ticket in 7 years of driving, and to be honest If I deserve a ticket for it then maybe I should be come a police officer, as I see endless cars parked the same as I did everyday and could make a killing in commission

esmerobbo

Unfortunately as its an FPN the only appeal is the magistrates court. Obstruction is a funny one as its down to the police officers opinion as to whether an obstruction was caused. It is normally done when someone has complained.
Going to court will almost certainly be more expensive, even if the fine was left at the same level you would have added a victims surcharge of £15 and probably costs. It would probably be best to take this one on the chin and pay up, unless anyone else has an idea!

Swafe

hmm, yea im pretty sure that the people in the houses i parked outside must have complained to the police, which made them give me a fine to keep them quiet, bit of a cop out really thought they must have thought they have to do something, even tho i havnt really done anything wrongg, I dont feel ive done anything wrong anyway

in truth theres a whole road of illegally parked cars round the corner from me if parking the way i did is against the law, but i very much doubt theyll all end up all getting ticketed, doesnt seem fair at all!

from looking at the ticket your right, it does seem you can only pay up within 28 days or take it to court, does anyone know if theres a way of paying it and claiming it back at a later date so they dont increase the original fine? or will paying up be like admitting liability?

esmerobbo

A Fixed penalty notice is an offer to have the matter dealt with without having to go to court. So it is admitting liability and having the matter closed.

Did they ticket all the cars parked on the kerb or just yours? The only argument you could have at court would be that you were not causing an obstruction, but if you are parked on the kerb then you are. Although as you say its been going on for a long time at the location.

Swafe

normally... theres 3 or 4 cars parked there all day in the exact spot i parked in today, never had a problem, today though i was the only car there so i got caught out a bit, unless they all have recently got tickets and been scared off