Congestion charge entry (lacking in wanring signs on entry)

londonTiger

Entry here: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.517044,-0.073316,3a,44.9y,216.54h,82.57t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1srzJFG_ldvA_YkW01fKK7NA!2e0

At the time the market was closed and the gates were open for traffic.

I was turning right into it around 5pm, so there were cyclists and other commuters and this road is absolutely hectic. You focus is on finding a gap in oncoming traffic, checking mirrors to avoid overtaking cyclists etc. Last thing on your mind is to check if the entry road is congestion free.

Furthermore, foolishly I just relied on what I thought was the congestion zone and thought I was far from the boundry and drove into the market. I did notice the red C on my peripheral - but I "overrode" that thought because there are congestion warning signs right as far as the North Circular so wrote it off as one of those warning signs.

In the absense of road marking stating that it's a congestion zone (both the lane marking arrows approaching the entry as well as the road painted red C signs inside of the entry). There were two lampost markings though.

I'm on autpay so it's going to cost me £11.something (new rate). But I feel bummed out cos I drove there to save £4 than buying from my local supplier. Serves me right.

Any grounds for appeal due to limited warning signs?

Coupon-mad

Well here's a pepipoo thread showing you how to appeal on signage issues and what can happen at PATAS. In this case despite a very good appeal and terrible signs, the person lost at PATAS and should have then paid up as there are no costs, but he didn't so he got a charge certificate after that and paid MUCH more, £195!! (don't do that!):

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=86112

As Incandescent said on that thread, 'Appealing is similar to Council parking PCNs issued using CCTV. You get one opportunity to appeal, (formally), then if refused, you can go to PATAS. It looks like TfL are remiss in not checking their signage regularly, so this is a powerful appeal point if you have good photos to back up your claim. The signs must be sufficient to warn a complete stranger, not somebody living locally.'

So it's up to you, same as other Council and TfL postal PCNs, it's all or nothing and if you do lose at PATAS the only thing you've lost is the discount currently offered, assuming you've got a Charge Notice.

I'm on autpay so it's going to cost me £11.something (new rate).

If it's only going to cost you £11.xx I would pay up!

londonTiger

It's already paid automatically. I am not challenging a PCN. I want the charges reversed.

I will post on pepipoo

londonTiger

btw. still pepipoo or do I have to submit a refund request internally to TFL?

Coupon-mad

I would have thought you appeal in the normal way and TFL will tell you if you can't. Then you could escalate the complaint if you think there are grounds to take it further. But see what pepipoo say about it.

w211

Would it be worth your hassle and time, though - filling out forms, explaining the situation, maybe going back to take photos, etc., especially after TfL has already got your money.

I know it's still the principle, but you're only £7 down. It could cost much more in terms of time and effort to get your £11 back! :-)