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#Post#: 121255--------------------------------------------------
Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: Tod
Date: June 9, 2026, 6:16 am
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Hi all,
I'd appreciate some advice on this PCN from the City of London.
I'm an Uber driver and on 5 June I dropped passengers off in
Playhouse Yard. The street is very narrow and stopping in the
carriageway would have blocked access, so I pulled into the bay
with my hazard lights on while the passengers got out.
After the drop-off I briefly left the vehicle.
When I came back to the car, a CEO was already there. I
explained what had happened and that I had just completed a
drop-off and gone to return forgotten property. I also asked him
if he had seen my hazard lights and he said that he had. He
nevertheless said a PCN would be issued.
No PCN was placed on the vehicle and I've now received a postal
PCN.
I've attached the PCN, the Uber trip details and Street View
images of the location.
The council website doesn't show any CEO photos, notes or
observation records, which I find odd.
Do you think I have any grounds to challenge this, and should I
first ask the council for the CEO notes and photographs?
Many thanks.
HTML https://ibb.co/FLPfCpwv
HTML https://ibb.co/C3y36X3v
HTML https://ibb.co/fd6NrDLz
HTML https://ibb.co/fd6NrDLz
#Post#: 121260--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: June 9, 2026, 6:28 am
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You've been served with a "driveaway" PCN. The bold text at the
top says it is because the CEO had begun to prepare a PCN, but
you drove off before he could serve it. Is this true ? I ask
because if the CEO had the PCN ready and could have served it,
this postal PCN is void.
So please tell us more.
#Post#: 121264--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: Tod
Date: June 9, 2026, 6:32 am
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I was actually surprised when the postal PCN arrived. There was
no argument or confrontation. The CEO did not attempt to hand me
a PCN or place one on the vehicle. We simply spoke briefly and
then went our separate ways.
#Post#: 121273--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: June 9, 2026, 7:47 am
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EDIT: The PCN is defective because it doesn't have the time of
the contravention that I can see, only the date.
If you made to attempt to evade service of the PCN either to you
or on the vehicle then you have a good case.
The PCN is timed at 18:27 according to the website and nearly
all the pics have the same time (only one of seven at 18:26)
which may mean the PCN may not have been in preparation and only
pics taken.
HTML https://i.ibb.co/gFgdkBCR/Screenshot-2026-06-09-at-13-41-33.png
HTML https://i.ibb.co/Ndt1W66K/Screenshot-2026-06-09-at-13-41-24.png
HTML https://i.ibb.co/mrTnq34y/Screenshot-2026-06-09-at-13-41-16.png
HTML https://i.ibb.co/cSpkVRvz/Screenshot-2026-06-09-at-13-41-50.png
#Post#: 121301--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: Tod
Date: June 9, 2026, 4:04 pm
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Thank you [member=2249]stamfordman[/member].
I certainly did not make any attempt to evade service of a PCN.
As I explained above, when I returned to the vehicle the CEO was
already there taking photographs. I explained that I had just
completed a drop-off and had only been away from the vehicle for
around 30 seconds.
I also asked him if he had seen my hazard lights on, which he
confirmed. He said I could have stopped on the yellow line
instead. I replied, "Thanks, next time I will know", and that
was the extent of the conversation.
There was no argument, no confrontation and no attempt
whatsoever to hand me a PCN or place one on the vehicle. I then
continued with my work and left.
To be honest, I was quite surprised when the postal PCN arrived.
#Post#: 121306--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: June 9, 2026, 4:19 pm
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Can you see a time of contravention on the PCN?
It's mandatory to have both date and time.
#Post#: 121308--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: Tod
Date: June 9, 2026, 4:33 pm
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As far as I can see, the PCN itself only states the date of the
alleged contravention (05/06/2026).
I cannot see any field on the PCN stating the time of
contravention.
The only time I can find is the timestamp shown on the
photograph, For some reason I can't see any photographs at all
on the City of London portal, either in Chrome or Safari. How
are you able to see the seven photos and their timestamps? Is
there a link or section of the portal that I'm missing?
#Post#: 121309--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: June 9, 2026, 4:48 pm
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I think there's an evidence tab when you log-in here:
HTML https://cityoflondon.tarantoportal.com/PCNs
Other pics are close-up to check for a blue badge.
The pic on the PCN is not relevant for the compliance of the PCN
so this looks like an easy win.
#Post#: 121311--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: Tod
Date: June 9, 2026, 4:53 pm
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Thank you. I found the evidence tab and can now see the
photographs.
There are seven photos in total. One is timestamped 18:26 and
the remaining six are timestamped 18:27.
What would you suggest as the next step?
#Post#: 121354--------------------------------------------------
Re: Blackfriars/Playhouse Yard area PCN Contravention Code 40
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: June 10, 2026, 5:01 am
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Wait for others to check this but this is all you need in my
view. I see the CEO did say you'd get a PCN so if that is the
only point it would hinge on whether he really had got the PCN
partially logged.
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I am challenging the PCN on two grounds.
1. Procedural impropriety - the PCN is not compliant as it does
not state the time of contravention, only the date. The time is
a mandatory item under the legislation.
2. Procedural impropriety - at no point did I prevent service of
the PCN either to me or on my car. I had a conversation with
your CEO in which I said I had just completed a drop-off as an
Uber driver and he advised me it would be better to wait on
yellow lines.
I look forward to your early cancellation on this PCN.
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