TFL Box Junction Fine

edmundli

Hi guys, just want to get some advice.
I recived a letter from TFL today saying I am being fined for stopping in a box junction(dont even remember doing it...)
After reading it further they said they sent me a notice a month ago on the date of the incident, but I didnt recieve no notice. So now they think im ignoring it and have sent me a bill for £150!!!!

My theory is that it probably got lost in the post, which im sure will sound like an excuse to them, but surely I shouldnt be responsible for the quality of postal service they use......

Is there a point of trying to appeal/fight this to get it reduced or is it just a loss cause and I should just cough up, anyone had any experience with this?

Any advice/help would be very much appreciated
Ed

BargainHunterCat

Hmm, sounds like you should request photographic proof of your alleged misdemeanour and find out whether this is a genuine fine or not!

I would also find out under which law you are supposedly being fined and check this is valid.

It may turn out to be a con for all you know! When I was working for a nationwide company and we opene a new branch, we received a very official looking letter demanding that we send £250 to supposedly register the new business with customs & excise which turned out to be a con!

BargainHunterCat

Having said that however I have just found this document on TFL's web site about how they are enforcing road signs!

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/streets/downloads/pdf/roadsigns/TfL-Traffic-Offences-Large-Print.pdf

Presuming your fine is genuine, I would definitely ask for photographic evidence to check it was really you!

edmundli

it looks pretty authentic, its just silly how they can claim they sent me a letter when i recieved nothing!

tonys_3

I think you will find that the mail could be at fault.Something like 1 million letters were undelivered last year.And therein lies the problem,since the law takes the view that if a letter is posted,then it will be delivered.You could ask for some proof of posting if they are insisting that you pay a higher amount.

waster_2

If you drive in London then you need to be aware that CCTV , Gatso, red light, congestion charge and similar cameras are watching you all the time and you will likely get caught if you transgress.

Be careful is the best advice.

Blaming the mail will not be a defence unfortunately, as once a letter is posted it is deemed served.

edmundli

Well i want to at least try and get it reduced, any advice on what I should write in my letter to TFL?

waster_2

edmundli wrote:

Well i want to at least try and get it reduced, any advice on what I should write in my letter to TFL?

They are notoriously intransigent in their attitude so you will probabaly get nowhere. However, if it was me I would write back saying that you did not receive their first notification and had you done so you would have paid to benefit from the discount. Do this ASAP and ask that they understand that you did not recieve the original notifoication and in the circumstances are prepared to accept the original discounted amount of £££ (whatever it is) and enclose your cheque for the discounted amount. Go on to say that unless you hear from them within 14 days to the contrary you will assume that they have accepted the discounted amount enclosed in full and final settlement of the PCN.

Good luck.

bobbywomble

i would do just what waster says but tag on the bottom that you are willing to go to court to prove you didnt get the letter and were un aware of the fine
the court will no doubt ask tfl for proof of postage and you got them!!
also try asking for photographic proof that it was your car and that you were driving
suggest that someone could have cloned your car and was using your number plate and that there time would be better spent trying to stop people doing this rather than catching people for minor offenses
if they cannot provide evidence that you were driving pleed that the car was being used without you consent....

and you have no knowledge of being in the area
the thought of you winning the case and opening the flood gates for other claims should stop them quick enough

its getting stupid when cameras are being used for catching drivers turning left
when old ladies are getting mugged right under there noses :mad: