Lambeth PCNs - multiple school street PCNs before first notice received - advice appreciated

ihateinjustice24

Hi all, looking for some advice regarding multiple PCNs issued by Lambeth for entering a school street / pedestrian restriction zone on Sunnyhill Road.

The first alleged contravention occurred on 27/02/2026 at 15:35. However, the first PCN was not received until approximately 09/03/2026.

During that period, I continued to use the road, completely unaware that I was committing a contravention, meaning several further PCNs were incurred before I had any opportunity to change my behaviour. I am not from the area where the contraventions took place.

I have now received 5 PCNs in total for the same restriction/location.

As soon as I became aware of the issue upon receipt of the first notice, I immediately stopped using the road during restricted hours.

I challenged all PCNs informally, explaining:

• all subsequent contraventions occurred before I received the first PCN;
• I therefore had no opportunity to modify my behaviour before liability accumulated;
• enforcement of multiple PCNs in those circumstances appears disproportionate.

The council has now begun rejecting the challenges with what appear to be standard/template responses focused mainly on signage, it is clear they did not read my appeal at all and repeated an automated response.

I have since paid the first PCN of £80 as i believe the first initial penalty fits the crime of me being unaware of the enforcement.

From advice received elsewhere, I understand this is not technically “continuous contravention” in the parking sense, but more an argument around proportionality/fairness and lack of opportunity to become aware before repeated enforcement occurred.

One point also raised to me was that a motorist should be entitled to know when and what to pay according to the statutory process and council communications, and that the sequence/timing here undermined that because liability accumulated before the first notice was even received.

I have also explained that the cumulative amount is causing genuine financial hardship, and given evidence that the amount they are asking for exceeds what i can afford and would affect me paying my rent. they did not acknowledge this at all. although I understand that is more mitigation/discretion than a standalone legal ground.

At this stage I’m trying to understand:

1. Whether this proportionality argument realistically has a chance at formal representations / tribunal;
2. Whether there are any additional procedural points I should specifically examine in the PCNs or notices;
3. Whether anyone has experience of councils or tribunals cancelling subsequent PCNs in similar “multiple before first notice received” situations.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Le_Kirk

Since we concentrate on parking charge notices from unregulated private parking companies, you would be better off taking this over to our friends on https://ftla.uk (the forum started to replace Pepipoo), as they are the experts on council and police issues.
You will need register before reading the FAQs, then posting both sides of your PCN with your query.
Council
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-%28councils-tfl-and-so-on%29/

James_Poisson

Doesn't exactly jump out at your does it:

ihateinjustice24

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82014578#Comment_82014578

Did you actually read what i wrote? Also the correct grammar here is "you"

James_Poisson

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015487#Comment_82015487

Yes I did and I am sorry I added an "r" in my haste to help you, though why you berated me for supporting you with an indication of how poor the signage is (which might be a good appeal point), I don't know, but good luck I won't bother any more!

ihateinjustice24

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015772#Comment_82015772

My mistake, i interpreted your message as sarcasm, and as an implication that i should've been more aware of the signage. i apologise for my rudeness.

Coupon-mad

No that was the opposite of his meaning!

We are on your side but FTLA forum is where you need to post, not an MSE forum.

ihateinjustice24

my mistake completely, i've apoligised to James. ive posted to FTLA!