Avoiding the Congestion Charge PCN

Chriswright96

So I received a PCN for not paying the congestion charge in August (I wont go into the details of why it wasn't paid, we'll be here all day).

I appealed it, because I simply can't afford an extortionate £65 fine without having to scrape through the month.

2 weeks later, they rejected it, so I called them and explained my situation, and said that I could appeal to the London tribunals, but then found out I don't have any applicable reason to appeal to them. So I called back and they said to just make another representation to them. 2 weeks later they rejected it again ...

Notice the '2 weeks later' ...

The fine is also put on hold during this time, and I am given another 2 weeks to pay the £65 ...

So I thought I'd give them another call, and asked how many times I can appeal ... They said there isn't a limit ...

So ... I think I've just found myself a new pen pal

Could I really just keep appealing it to avoid paying it? Is there any policy or whatever that says otherwise? Thanks!

poppasmurf_bewdley

So when you have done it 130 times, you will have spent that £65 on postage, and still owe the £65 fine.

Hardly very money saving!

System

There's no limit on representation BUT the representation needs to be done within 28 days of the service date of the PCN

All that will happen is you will spend money on the stamp and the representation will be rejected because it is classed as 'late'

Chriswright96

Nah there's no postage cost, it's all online now. The cost of making the representation is the same as it cost to send this reply Lol

System

You still only get probably 2 chances before you run out of time.

andyfromotley

Hi Chris,

this is going to sound a bit snide and isnt meant that way honestly!

Put the effort into sorting out your budget/income instead. If a £65 charge is going to ruin your month financially then things are very very tight indeed. (although i do get that they are very annoying these fines!!)

Chriswright96

Yeah I'm just going through a rough patch with my finances, I did have everything worked out until they started pestering me for £65 ... I just don't understand how they can justify that amount (Although they may be able to justify it after my 17th representation, with all their admin and postage costs) ... It would just make more financial sense for them to overturn it Lol

System

Although they may be able to justify it after my 17th representation

It won't happen, after the first representation outside the time limit which they'll reply to they will start ignoring and just pass it on to their collections people (I.E DCA) and then the costs will jump.


Extrapolate

It would just make more financial sense for them to overturn it Lol

and you get people claiming that it makes more financial sense NOT to jail a murderer due to the cost.

Bottom line is that it is a penalty for transgressing a valid , legal regulation and is set at that level to deter further transgressions. It must obviously be a lot higher than any parking costs you would incur otherwise it would be abused.

Be thankful, it was a red route, you could have had your car clamped and towed. Ending up with a bill of a few hundred pounds as well as the ticket

redux

The thread title should have the word delaying rather than avoiding.

There can come a moment when this fine gets doubled or tripled, then it goes to court ...

sourcrates

Hi,
I would settle this whilst it remains at £65.


If you do not do so, within 28 of your appeal been rejected, a charge certificate will be issued, which increases your debt by 50%.
If you still don't pay within a further 14 days, an order for recovery will be issued, after a further 21 days, they issue a warrant, and you will get a visit from the bailiff's !!!!


You will also be liable for all costs associated with this, so a £65 debt, could potentially escalate to over £400 pretty sharpish.


https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/penalty-charge-notices/enforcement-process