Appealing a PCN - help and advice please

Caroliongate

I was given a PCN by the local council in June which I am appealing. I wrote to the council first and asked them to consider the PCN but got a flat out NO from them. 
Why am I appealing? 
Due to overnight roadworks, I had been unable to access the zone where I usually park my car and have a permit to park. Many other car owners had the same problems and the surrounding streets were overflowing with cars. After driving around for an hour at 1.30 am trying to find a space to park, I found a space and saw a sign which I read to be that the parking restriction would come into force at 8 am. 
I went to the car before 8 am to move the car only to discover that a PCN had been issued at 7.03 am. 
I wrote to the council again to ask if they would consider the parking charge and they refused. 

I find this sign to be confusing and would like to ask this community for their thoughts and advice please on what the law is about the clarity of information that is given on signs. 

I've subsequently noticed that there are a LOT of parking tickets issued by the council before 8 am to cars parked in the area around where I got the ticket. 
It almost feels this is a real money earner for the council. 
Again I would appreciate the thoughts and advice from here. 
Thanks 

oldernonethewiser

For council tickets this is the site you should visit

https://www.ftla.uk/index.php

If you have a "C" permit then you should be fine (no pun intended)