Council PCN in lockdown

tkc1983

Hi All,

When we were still in lockdown I got a PCN from the council for parking on a road at 'peak' times.

To give you the picture, I went to a shop early in the morning and parked my car outside. It was ok to park at that time. With coronavirus safety measures in the store (queues, one-way flow), I didn't get out of the shop on time and parking restriction ('peak' hours) started.

I sent an email to the council asking them to cancel the ticket because once in store I wasn't able to do anything to get out on time but they refused to do so.

Somebody advised me that I could dispute that the timed parking restriction in not enforceable as we were in lockdown so there wasn't going to be any rush-hour traffic - what are your thoughts, please?

Keep safe,
Tom

Umkomaas

As we major on private parking tickets here, PePiPoo will be your best bet for council tickets. Register there but please note that a hotmail address won't work - try using a throwaway gmail account instead if you do have trouble registering and post a new thread; here's your link:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=30

Have a read through some of the other threads there before you post your own to get the hang of what information they need from you in your opening post - but as a minimum you will need to post redacted photos/scans of all correspondence you've received from the council (both sides, if appropriate) as they need to see all the small print.

PePiPoo has an excellent success record in dealing with council tickets.  

Scrapit

Round here the council have suspunded all paid parking, you can park but no need to pay. Very sensible imho. Dont think theres many that can help you here as its a council ticket im afraid.

beamerguy

Somebody advised me that I could dispute that the timed parking restriction in not enforceable as we were in lockdown

Of course you can dispute it but not on the above grounds ....The council must give you the opportunity to appeal to .. the Traffic Penalty Tribunal 
https://www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/how-to-appeal/

This is a free service and not a cash cow like the councils. They are fair.

And the reason will be that it is unreasonable due to distancing and queues to expect anyone to comply with times that applied prior to COVID-19

D_P_Dance

I have appealed two council PCNs recently  and won both.  IMO the system is very fair.  

tkc1983

Hi All,

Thank you for advice and courage to challenge this.

I wrote, what is called a representation, to the council and I just got an email that it has been accepted and the PCN is now cancelled (although they missed the 56 days deadline anyway so there could have been only one outcome ).

Just to help others: read the articles that everyone here is referring to (also www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/grounds-of-appeal-parking-penalty-charge-notices/) and just challenge it! Still best avoid tickets in first place!!!

Thanks and Keep safe
Tom

Umkomaas

Excellent outcome for you and thank you for feeding back to us.  Well done. 🥂