PCN for flat tyre referred to County Court - help please

giantsunflower

I would like some advice on what to do please. on 1st November 2013 I was stopped at traffic lights on a busy one way system in Swiss Cottage, N London by a fellow motorist to point out that I had a flat tyre. I stopped at the nearest place I could which was a dotted red line with a sign for loading bay 20mins or 3 hrs for disabled users. I figured I wouldn't be blocking any traffic there and promptly called my recovery service. I was warned by a shopkeeper that there was a camera so I took photographs of my tyre as a precaution in case I got a ticket.

Two weeks later I received a PCN in the mail and a few days later I fell and suffered a severe fracture to my right shoulder. I was incapacitated and in a sling & swathe for almost 8 weeks unable to feed myself, get dressed on my own or look after our 3 year old daughter (let alone use a computer or write) so I had to rely on my very busy and stressed husband. I realised that I was late in appealing so called TFL and asked for advice and was told to send an email with photos and a copy of the recovery vehicle slip which I did. The reply said that my comments were noted but under the statutory process it was now too late to make representations.

The PCN has now been transferred to the Traffic Enforcement Centre. I have now contacted them and been told to fill in forms TE9 & TE7. I am concerned that they now only look at the fact that I have not paid anything and none of the boxes on the TE9 form apply to me.

Do I pay the now £202 charge and try to appeal afterwards or take it further? I have registered with Appeal Now website but not received a login.

Feel ridiculous that this has gone on so long. With the stress of my accident over Christmas I let this slide and am being severely punished for my lateness now!!
Many thanks in advance for replies.

AoD

Might be better off posting on Pepipoo for this kind of problem http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30