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#Post#: 115260--------------------------------------------------
Barnet PCN 53j - Pedestrian zone - Essex Park, North of
Wentworth Avenue, N3
DIR By: asm99
Date: April 6, 2026, 6:08 pm
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Hi all
I've seen others post regarding the pedestrian zone on Essex
Park with the junction of Wentworth Avenue N3 Barnet.
The vehicle was driving straight towards the restricted zone at
15:45. The pedestrian zone restriction ends at 16:00. As per the
evidence and the Google Street View, there is only one sign on
the left side of the road marking the pedestrian zone
restrictions.
Could it be argued that the signage is inadequate?
Thank you!
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/FMZFQBp_xl.jpg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/dJuNt3z_xl.jpg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/UUYtCNA_xl.jpg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/JhBFT31_xl.jpg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/0ghGKZM_xl.jpeg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/DcD7USC_xl.jpeg
Google Street View - Link
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/APjUsdpaG4SQ2dom6
#Post#: 115261--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet PCN 53j - Pedestrian zone - Essex Park, North of
Wentworth Avenue, N3
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: April 6, 2026, 7:03 pm
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No point in just coughing-up straightaway, so submit reps on the
basis that the signage of the restriction is inadequate. They
will re-offer the discount if they reject them, provided your
reps reach them within the discount period. The single sign is
mounted very high up which puts it out of the normal, (and
essential for safe driving) view of a motorist. They should
really have erected two signs, but they will argue one is
sufficient in a 20mph street. You approached the sign head-on so
really shouldn't have missed it, frankly.
#Post#: 115293--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet PCN 53j - Pedestrian zone - Essex Park, North of
Wentworth Avenue, N3
DIR By: Ex CPS here
Date: April 7, 2026, 10:50 am
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The real aim is to get this PCN cancelled on the ground that the
restriction was not adequately signed, because if the
restriction was not fairly conveyed before the point of entry,
that undermines the alleged contravention and that is the issue
Barnet and any independent adjudicator, meaning the tribunal
decision-maker, will actually care about.
On what you have shown, that argument is arguable but not
strong. The stills suggest only one pedestrian-zone entry sign
on the left and it does look mounted high, which gives you
something to work with. But your car also seems to approach it
almost head-on on a 20 mph street, which hurts. The legal
question is really whether the sign gave clear notice in time,
not whether the layout could have been better. Official guidance
says traffic authorities must make signing necessary, clear and
unambiguous, and that a single terminal sign can be acceptable
if clearly visible; it also says two signs may be needed where
drivers might otherwise miss the sign before making a manoeuvre.
Pedestrian-zone restrictions are conveyed by the zone entry sign
itself.
So the best point is not simply "there was only one sign". By
itself, that is weak. The better point is: on this particular
approach, this single elevated left-side sign did not adequately
convey the restriction in time for a safe and informed decision.
The evidence that moves that argument is the full CCTV clip,
driver's-eye photographs, and any dated material showing the
sign was partly obscured, visually lost among other street
furniture, or not readable until the vehicle was already
committed. I am assuming the layout on the day matched the
stills; if Barnet's own footage shows a clearer sightline, or a
second sign, your prospects drop.
I would make representations, meaning a formal challenge to the
council, within the discount period and keep it tight: the
restriction was not adequately signed on this approach because
there was only one elevated left-side entry sign, with no
corresponding right-side reinforcement, and the restriction was
not conveyed clearly enough in time. Ask for the full CCTV, the
legal order creating the restriction, and the council's site
photographs or sign schedule. Then ask yourself one hard
question now: are you willing to risk the full £160 to run an
arguable but not strong signage case to London Tribunals, or is
keeping the chance of paying £80 the outcome you can live with?
If Barnet rejects, the appeal window is 28 days from service of
the rejection notice.
#Post#: 115587--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet PCN 53j - Pedestrian zone - Essex Park, North of
Wentworth Avenue, N3
DIR By: asm99
Date: April 11, 2026, 4:10 am
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Thank you for your responses. I've had a look for the Traffic
Order relating to this pedestrian zone but it appears there
isn't one. I've attached a screenshot from Barnet council's
website which does not show any pedestrian restriction at this
location, or the corresponding signage marking a pedestrian
zone. Does this change things?
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/Oa9012B_xl.png
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