Parking sign installed without notice

BettyBlue82

Hi all,

I'm new to here but would very much appreciate your advice.

In November last year a single yellow line was painted outside my house, however no notification of any impending parking restrictions was made, either by a road sign, or notification to residents, so all residents continued to park as normal.

On the 19th July this year (9 months later), a road sign highlighting new parking restrictions (no waiting 8:30am-6pm) was installed. There was no prior warning of this whatsoever and so all residents (who had parked there overnight) received a PCN at 8:35am the following morning. Lovely!

I have appealed the PCN as I think it is unfair to impose a sign unannounced and to fine residents immediately, I am also not certain that the sign was in place when I left my vehicle (as I wasn't expecting/looking for a parking restriction). I have, however, had the appeal rejected for the following reasons:

• 'the sign complied with Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2012' - I am not contesting the appearance of the sign, yes, it is a legal sign, but was erected unannounced.
• 'residents should always check all signs when parking, irrespective of familiarity' - I have no proof that the sign was there (or not) when I parked. It was installed on the 19th (according to neighbours) but I have no idea whether it was before or after I parked.
• A Traffic Restriction Order for the area exists - this does exist on the council website, but was not given to residents. It also has no indication of the exact parking restriction times, only that it is/will soon be a restricted zone. It's like the council decided to make it restricted back in November but had no idea what times to impose on the parking.

Has anyone got any advice on where I should go from here? I would love to know if anyone had a similar experience and won, or would advise me to give in? I am really loathe to pay the fine, even though I am still in time to pay the reduced fine rate.

Alternatively, any info on the council's policy for announcing new parking restrictions would be useful as I am sure it can't be legal to impose something without prior warning.

Many thanks!

Tigerbush

Hi Betty - It's generally accepted here that in your situation the best place go for advice is Pepipoo Council Parking Tickets & Clamping and Decriminalised Notices. forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30

Register and post there. You will have access then to specialised advice relevant to your particular circumstances. Good luck

BettyBlue82

Thanks Tigerbush! I will register with pepipoo and see if anyone can help