PCN challenge – signage says 2hrs free (parked <1hr at 4pm), unclear council photos

bashiro

Hi all,  

I received a PCN recently and would appreciate some advice.  

- Location: Zinzan Street  

- Date & Time: Around 4pm (within 8am–8pm restriction)  

- Parking Duration: Less than 1 hour  

- Signage: The sign clearly states parking is allowed for up to 2 hours between 8am and 8pm. I was well within that limit.  

I’ve attached pictures of the two boards/signs in the area. I parked on the right side, but it isn’t very clear from the council’s photos which side of the road my car was actually on. Without clear photographic evidence, can they still pursue this PCN?  

My understanding is:  

- The sign permits up to 2 hours, and I stayed less than 1 hour.  

- The evidence doesn’t clearly prove I was parked where I wasn’t allowed.  

This is my first (informal) stage appeal, and I want to make sure I phrase it properly. What’s the best way to challenge this? Has anyone successfully appealed in similar circumstances?  

Thanks in advance for your help!

Car1980

That is very poor signage, with a contradictory supplementary plate.

I read it exactly the same as you, but they'd added an additional sign which says permit holders only, presumably at all times. Maybe it is this that they're relying on. There is added clutter with the stickers.

I'd just appeal on the basis unclear and contradictory signage ie. the contravention did not occur.

I wouldn't get into car positioning if you are relying on that poor signage. 

Use the magic words "the onus is on the council to make any restrictions clear".

They don't need photos, but it makes their life more difficult if you end up going to the Penalty Tribunal.

daveyjp

Looking at streetview the signs are a mess and road markings very poor, but the two signs look to be where the change in parking regimes start and end.

To the left left its permit or up to two hours, to the right permit only.

James_Poisson

I took it that it was permit only to the right, and on GSV all the signs to the end of the street say Permit Holders Only:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zinzan+St,+Reading/@51.4536499,-0.9800669,3a,75y,12.89h,78.72t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjCPrMqb5oc-F8Tgfk5iIkA!2e0!6shttps://streetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com/v1/thumbnail?cb_client=maps_sv.tactile&w=900&h=600&pitch=11.28475716789552&panoid=jCPrMqb5oc-F8Tgfk5iIkA&yaw=12.892592210257563!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x48769b11eb952bed:0xe8f21917219e3648!8m2!3d51.4541297!4d-0.9801152!16s/g/1td24yrf?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

Car1980

Requires arrows. No way is that sign clear that there's a demarcation.

prowla

It's worth noting that Reading Council recently had a number of parking "offences" overturned due to incorrect/illegal signage.

You may find that the Authority doubles down on its assertion that the PCN was correctly issued, but that doesn't mean it is a fact.

It may need to go up to Tribunal  to be resolved.

Also read up on the laws regarding signage, etc.

You can ask them for photographic proof of the alleged offence.

Umkomaas

As we major on private parking tickets here, Free Traffic Legal Advice (FTLA) forum will be your best bet for council penalty charges. Register there but please note that a Hotmail address may not work - try using a throwaway Gmail account instead if you do have trouble registering, and post a new thread; here's your link:

https://www.ftla.uk/index.php?board=3.0

Read the sticky 'Read this first before posting your case' as well as reading through some of the other threads there ahead of posting your own details, 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, and a Google Street View link.

James_Poisson

Looks like the arrow has been blanked out for some reason.

Umko is right needs taking to FTLA

bashiro

Hi,

So what is the best way to challenge it?

Umkomaas

bashiro said:

Hi,

So what is the best way to challenge it?

Please ask on FTLA, they are the council tickets experts. 

Car1980

Council appeal (will probably be refused) and then take it to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. No hearing necessary - you can have it decided on the papers if you want.