Car towed in London - help with appeal

sophie_london

Hi everyone

I had my car towed from outside my house in Houslow council last weekend and am looking for some advice.

When I parked up, I had the valid permit holders badge dispalyed and the truth is, I had been driving for six hours and I got home at around 9pm, so I was tired and it was dark. I didn't even think to look for a restriction notice as when parking outside your home, you do not expect to see one.

When I went to use my car (two days) later, I thought it had been stolen. I certainly hadn't been infromed by anyone that the car had been towed!

It was only when I was looking for my car in broad daylight that I noticed the restriction sign and called the council. The council infromed me that the car had been towed away as a new neighbour had paid to have the bay restricted so that they could move in. What was even more upsetting is that I was at home whilst the car was being towed away. If only I had looked out of the window!

I've had to pay the fine, towing fee and one day rate in the pound which ammounts to £295.

I'm just wondering whether it's even worth me trying to appeal?

I would appreciate any advice possibloe, as I could really do without loosing almost £300!

Thank you in advance!
Sophie

The_Slithy_Tove

Get yourself over to Pepipoo, register there, and create a thread in the Council Tickets forum: http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30. There are lots of people there who really know thier stuff around these things, and can give you good, solid advice.

ManxRed

You've already paid so there is nothing at all to lose in appealing. The Pepipoo people will make your appeal as strong as possible.

There may be a lot of mileage in the suspension sign, if you can get a picture of this then great.

sophie_london

Thanks really helpful, thank you!

marleyboy

I wonder whether putting 4 wheelclamps on your car, will not only render it incapable of being clamped, but impossible to be towed away.

I cannot imagine it being illegal to clamp your own vehicle.

sophie_london

Perhaps I'll try that in future marleyboy!

peter_the_piper

marleyboy wrote: »

I wonder whether putting 4 wheelclamps on your car, will not only render it incapable of being clamped, but impossible to be towed away.

I cannot imagine it being illegal to clamp your own vehicle.

Not a lot of help really, they lift them not actually tow.

Coupon-mad

Hounslow PCNs are flawed in their wording on the front, it should not have the bit saying 'unless this PCN is challenged' where it talks about the amount of the penalty.

And on top of that, most Council suspended bay 'signs' are not authorised signs at all - they need special clearance from the DFT and many Councils do not bother.

Pepipoo will help you appeal and probably win the whole lot back - and you have nothing to lose at all. Don't hang about as you only have 28 days from the date you picked the car up, counting that day as day one.

The clock is ticking for you to get your refund although you will probably have to get it referred to an adjudicator. Most people win and you certainly have grounds for appeal.

dacouch

With a suspended bay, some London councils will call a tow truck, lift the car up and then deposit it in a suitable space further down the road.

They charge for the ticket and the tow truck but now pound charges and the inconvenience of going to the pound which seems a much more reasonable method