TFL PCN Advice

Jono_56B

Hey guys I need some advice please.

• I received a PCN on the windscreen of my vehicle on 29/01/24. 
• The driver never passed the PCN on to me and he's now buggered off back to Portugal.
• First I heard of it was when I got an NTO on 28/02/24 for £160 (doubled from initial £80). 
• I made informal appeal to request the PCN be taken back to £80 stage, which other councils have done before with ease. 
• However TFL wrote back to me and refused my informal appeal and interestingly wrote "Please be advised all notifications are sent via 1st Class mail by Royal Mail and TFL is not responsible for any delays with delivery." The thing is that I wasn't disputing whether I had received a letter because this is evidently a 'windscreen PCN' not a 'letter PCN' and the driver had neglected to give me initial PCN and it has nothing to do with Royal Mail. 

Until tonight I am still within 28 days to make a formal appeal so my question is, should I

a. make another formal complaint to TFL to request it being taken back to £80 stage or,
b. wait for Charge Certificate and take it up directly with the TEC.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this has got me stressing!

Thanks in advance fellas & ladies.

Coupon-mad

You can't make an 'informal' appeal against a NTO.  That was your formal challenge stage and ur's now gone.

You didn't give any grounds to dispute the PCN and you'd have zero grounds at TEC, I am afraid because both documents were properly served (first to the driver, then to you).

Pay it.

Jono_56B

Ok fair enough I completely understand your point. The thing is though, I wasn't sent a formal 'Notice of rejection'; the response I received (attached in post) refusing my request to take PCN back to original was not a formal Notice of rejection because apparently my initial appeal wasn't classed as an appeal against the PCN but as a request to take back to initial amount. Therefore I am still able to make a formal appeal on the website and that is what the 2 TFL representatives on the phone told me that until midnight today I have the chance to make a formal appeal as no Notice of Rejection as been sent and no formal appeal has been lodged yet. 

So bearing this in mind what would you suggest my next steps should be? Should I make a formal appeal or wait and take it to the TEC? Thanks mate

Coupon-mad

OK - Only if you have grounds.  You've mentioned no grounds that fit the limited list that could be considered. 

Ask quickly on Free Traffic Legal Advice" at https://ftla.uk

They'll tell you if there are grounds but only if you show them the NTO and say whet you think  went wrong.  If you don't know, pay it.