PCN Code 12 - Unclear Signs - Parking on wrong side of road.

[TheV5]

Hello everybody,

 

I am after some advice with regards to appealing a Penalty Charge Notice.

 

I was doing some work for a client at one of their rental properties in Battersea (Cupar Road).

I turned into Cupar Road from Battersea Park Road and drove to the end

where I saw a parking space on the left (and coincidently right by the house I was working on).

 

 

As I got out of the car I saw the sign saying “Permit Holders or Pay at machine”.

Underneath there was an arrow directing you to the nearest ticket machine.

 

 

In that direction, was another sign stating the same thing; Permit holders or pay at machine.

I went to the machine and got the parkmobile location number and started my parking via the phone app.

 

About 30 minutes into my parking, I see a traffic warden putting a ticket on my car with a Code 12

and for a cost of £130!!!

 

 

I said I had parked via parkmobile and showed him the running app on the phone.

He responded that I have parked on the wrong side of the road!

Permit holders only on one side and a mixture on the other!

 

 

I pointed at the sign when I pulled up (which is right opposite the end space where I had parked.

He said, I need to check the other sign (which was about 10 – 15 yards back down the road,

in the opposite direction of the ticket machine and the arrows on the other signs).

I saw the sign as I got out of the car and another one just over the road both saying pay at machine.

 

The warden noted it was a genuine error and I had paid to park.

He also recognised that I am not a resident and just doing some work there.

 

 

He advised me to appeal and he would write a note saying I was working,

so not familiar with the area and parking restrictions.

 

 

He took photos of the car and the black bags I had lined up to show that we had chatted

and that I was working on the house and not a resident.

He said in all likelihood, the PCN would be overturned.

 

I also took photos of the car with the sign right opposite the car, which would be the first signage you saw from the car,

then backed up with a second sign a little toward the ticket machine which is directly in front of the car.

 

 

It never occurred to me that there would be a third sign lurking a bit further down the road

saying permit holders only or that parking on one side of the road or the other made a difference.

I hadn’t come across this parking arrangement before (Live in a small village in Sussex).

 

 

In my mind, the signage doesn’t make it particularly clear that you have to park on one side of the road or the other.

Plus, the positioning of the signs;

One right at the end saying pay at machine with arrows toward the machine

and another in the opposite direction saying permit holders only.

 

 

As the machine was at the top of the road and that another sign was there inviting you to pay,

I had no reason to walk down the road.

 

 

In my mind, I saw two signs saying pay at machine and that I could pay and park.

 

Many thanks

[mikeymack2002]

If you use Google maps to view your parking location the signs are clear enough to read.

 

From what I can see the odd side of the road is residents only. On the opposite side evens is a mix. There are plenty of signs and readable and clear in where and whom can park where.

 

Without giving the house number away where you were visiting where you parked was it on the odd or even side of the road. The pcn should have noted this. If you wish to view these signs the use Google maps they are clear to read and understand...

[Michael Browne]

It's an easy mistake to make, but signs for parking restrictions only apply to that side of the street.

 

You must make an informal appeal within 14 days, explain the circumstances and ask they use their discretion this one time.

 

TBH, it's unlikely they will allow your appeal, but the discount will be re-offered if they reject.

[TheV5]

Thanks for the reply,

 

Once the signs were pointed out, it became clear.

 

 

On the first street view link below I parked on the right-hand-side at the very end of the bay

(behind the Volvo that is parked there).

 

 

I drove in from the opposite end of the road and saw the free space at the end.

As you can see from street view, there is a sign on the opposite side of the road (2nd link)

which states ‘permit holders or pay at machine’.

 

 

I saw this sign and another one near the machine stating the same thing.

I did not see the sign on the side I parked as it is a good couple of car lengths from the end of the bay,

whereas the pay at machine sign is right at the end of the bay.

 

 

Plus, as I said, the pay at machine sign has arrows directing you to the machine which is in Lurline Gardens.

I also saw the sign there saying pay at machine.

It never occurred to me to walk back down the road to read each and every sign.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4762281,-0.1513734,3a,75y,180h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1Cce6b6c1ejac9LSCgAtjQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4760971,-0.1513271,3a,37.5y,50.54h,88.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDB4B1BfUUY41791U9LSm9w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[TheV5]

It's an easy mistake to make, but signs for parking restrictions only apply to that side of the street.

 

You must make an informal appeal within 14 days, explain the circumstances and ask they use their discretion this one time.

 

TBH, it's unlikely they will allow your appeal, but the discount will be re-offered if they reject.

 

 

I only work in London every now and then and hadn't realised that parking signage is for one side only.

I haven't seen it before in other locations, so was news to me (no excuse I know).

 

The warden who gave me the ticket (who was friendly and helpful) did hint that they do get quite a few people

who park in the last two or three spaces of that road as people see the sign opposite first

and then the other sign I over the road. Sneaky positioning I think...

[Jamberson]

There is no payment machine on the street - I would definitely mention that in any appeal letter. Although it's not enough on its own to get the PCN cancelled, it is a factor - if the machine was on the other side of the road, then they could assume you had stood there and looked over to where your car is, thereby seeing the correct signs. The fact that you have to exit the road to pay for your parking does add some weight to your case.

[TheV5]

There is no payment machine on the street - I would definitely mention that in any appeal letter. Although it's not enough on its own to get the PCN cancelled, it is a factor - if the machine was on the other side of the road, then they could assume you had stood there and looked over to where your car is, thereby seeing the correct signs. The fact that you have to exit the road to pay for your parking does add some weight to your case.

 

That's correct, the machine is on the other road and the arrows on the signage that I mention all point toward that machine and away from the correct signage. Even looking back at the car, the angle, distance and general amount of vehicles, trees, hedges, houses etc make the sign blend into the background clutter.

I know after it was pointed out that I had parked on the wrong side of the road and I freely admit that. But as said the signs I saw all indicated pay and display. The sign saying not to park here is a sneaky ways back.