Congestion Charge & Diversions......

FilBrown

A few months ago I was travelling in Central London on Grosvenor Road towards Millbank. To avoid the charge I turn right over Vauxhall Bridge but when I reached the turn I was directed straight over the junction onto Millbank by a Police Officer.
Now off my normal route and without a GPS, I crossed the river at the next opportunity and tried to get out of the charging zone as soon as possible.

After arriving home I contacted TfL who told me that this was not a "recognised" diversion and that I should pay the charge.
I called the Metropolitan Police info line and was told that this was a "recognised" diversion (caused by gridlock in the Vauxhall area) which had been reported by TfL own bus crews. They also gave me a diversion reference number.
I called TfL again who suggested I return to the scene of the diversion and speak to the Police Officer!

After arguing with TfL the penalty notice was cancelled but not because of the diversion but because I had been given the wrong information by the TfL operator.

My question/s are;
Is TfL a higher authority than a Police Officer?
I understand that to comply with motoring law, I have to follow the orders of a Police Officer when requested.
TfL are now are now claiming that the diversion has to be "recognised" by them to be a valid diversion regardless.
If I'm ordered by a Police Officer into the charging zone what legal defence have I got against TfL?

I've written to TfL a number of times to request who has the "legal" responsibility in this situation but have yet to get a reply....

Any thoughts would be welcome!

The_Slithy_Tove

It's not really a case of higher authority. If TfL hadn't cancelled, you'd have had to appeal all the way, with who knows what result.

TfL and councils alike will fight any challenge to their self-important authority, partly because they want the revenue, deserved or not, but also because they (and the police are also like this at times) are clinincally incapable of ever admitting that they have got anything wrong, and will plough on in their own little world of denial, as losing face is just unacceptable to them.

You asked for "any thoughts" - those are mine