Challenging a PCN/Penalty Charge Notice

[makeshiftUK]

Rant time... received a PCN for doing this about a month ago:



I don't normally consider myself to be a moron - but the reason for parking myself on the yellow box junction (can't have been more than 30 seconds) was to allow the cars behind to move forward, to allow an emergency vehicle to get by. Despite challenging the PCN with a formal 'representation', I've been advised that this has been rejected and that I need to pay the fine of £65, which I think increases 2x or so if I don't pay within a certain time window. For me it's not about the money but letting these money-grabbing insert expletive here rip me off for doing what I thought 'was the right thing' at the time to allow an ambulance to pass through.

So... do I fight the case and go through to the next round, a London Tribunal and appeal there? Or do I suck it up and swallow my pride? Anyone had experience in this field?

 

[c4sman]

Infuriating but suck it up. Life is too short and unlikely to change anything.

my sisters car got hit by an ambulance, she suspects they didn’t notice clipping her and obviously carried on with their emergency (which is fine), however she quickly discovered that the burden to find evidence sat firmly with her. No one was interested in tracing the ambulance or obtaining cctv etc.

 

[Zep]

Unfortunately, you are bang to rights. Rule 219
of the Highway Code says:


I does seem like a **** rule though.

 

[makeshiftUK]

FFS. I figure I'll just end up winding myself up if I pursue this further... moral of the story is, I will comply with all traffic signs and signals in the future even if it means impeding an emergency vehicle... I'll refer them to the Highway Code. F-ing daft.

Reaches for credit card...

 

[Oneball]

What Zep said. I know someone who got done in a bus lane letting an ambulance pass and the answer was you’re not allowed to break traffic laws even to let an emergency vehicle past. Unfortunately the days where a traffic officer had discretion have been replaced by revenue collection.

 

[makeshiftUK]

Unfortunately the days where a traffic officer had discretion have been replaced by revenue collection.

Couldn't put it better myself.

 

[Mr Spoon]

Isn't it ok to stop in a yellow box when turning right?

 

[conaero]

Balls, challenge it, it’s a matter of principle and if you have a valid mitigating circumstance like an emergency vehicle, how can they disprove it?

 

[Gazcw]

FFS. I figure I'll just end up winding myself up if I pursue this further... moral of the story is, I will comply with all traffic signs and signals in the future even if it means impeding an emergency vehicle... I'll refer them to the Highway Code. F-ing daft.

Reaches for credit card...

Same if you pulled forward at a traffic light to allow an emg vehicle passed and got pinged by a camera. Crazy but thems are bonkers rules.

 

[c4sman]

FFS. I figure I'll just end up winding myself up if I pursue this further... moral of the story is, I will comply with all traffic signs and signals in the future even if it means impeding an emergency vehicle... I'll refer them to the Highway Code. F-ing daft.

Reaches for credit card...

I know if it was me and I challenged it and got nowhere my blood pressure would be that much higher thank coughing up £65 begrudgingly. On that basis it wouldn’t be worth it to me. I’ll fight something’s to the end but this wouldn’t be where I’d spend my energy.

 

[safrane]

Pay, but write to the MP of the area, short letter which they have to respond to by x number of days asking for thier intervention intervention.

In turn the council have to answer and outline their rationale

 

[Scaf]

I think if it were me, and as could prove I was there to allow an emergency vehicle through (dash cam footage or similar), I would challenge it.

Over the years I have crossed red lights moved onto the pavements etc to get out of the way of a blue light……….. and probably still will.

 

[Phil the Brit]

Have a look at pepipoo.com
A wonderful forum which I used a year ago to help me fight a Bank junction in London charge. I successfully appealed it. They have made tens of millions in this one junction alone.
I also successfully appealed in my wife parking in a disabled bay and getting a ticket even though she had her disabled badge on display. You have to report to an office you reg number after you had parked and the office was closed due to pandemic. You should have reported it to reception she was told!
Pepipoo will tell you all you need to know.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Isn't it ok to stop in a yellow box when turning right?

Only if your exit is clear....I seem to remember that from the 70s information film...

 

[FIFTY]

I know someone who did something similar (pulled forward on a red light which had a camera to let through an ambulance)

They challenged the penalty in court and they lost...

 

[2b1ask1]

It’s all about the money and since moving traffic violations were decriminalised the local authorities have seen it as another and vital revenue stream. Most London councils would now be bankrupt if they didn’t screw every penny out of motorists! TFL are the only funding stream the Mayors office has so they are all about screwing us.

the latest ruse is these imaginary (I kid you not) gates that close back streets off for all or parts of the day. They are literally two small signs either side of the road, no lines on the road even. Therir argument is to cut down on pollution so they force you back into the stationary traffic on the main road!

 

[MarkMas]

It's just a £65 random tax bill. Pay up and try to move on.

 

[linescanner]

It is daft but in 999 out 1000 you will lose. They will always quote the traffic laws and Blue light services are taught (at least the ones I know) that Joe public should not just get out of the way. Mad, but is way it is.

 

[allandwf]

Pay it, it's not worth £65 of your time, and it will irritate and annoy if you pursued it.

 

[Wack61]

It’s all about the money and since moving traffic violations were decriminalised the local authorities have seen it as another and vital revenue stream. Most London councils would now be bankrupt if they didn’t screw every penny out of motorists! TFL are the only funding stream the Mayors office has so they are all about screwing us.

the latest ruse is these imaginary (I kid you not) gates that close back streets off for all or parts of the day. They are literally two small signs either side of the road, no lines on the road even. Therir argument is to cut down on pollution so they force you back into the stationary traffic on the main road!

I've seen a guy on YouTube that tells people if they drive through that gap it'll cost them £60 , some still ignore him

Are there warning signs on the approaches ?