URI:
   DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       FreeTrafficLegalAdvice
  HTML https://ftla.createaforum.com
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       *****************************************************
   DIR Return to: The Flame Pit
       *****************************************************
       #Post#: 127706--------------------------------------------------
       Merton - unable to do what it's able to do
   DIR By: stamfordman
       Date: August 13, 2026, 6:26 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Case reference
       Appellant
       Authority
       VRM
       PCN Details
       PCN
       Contravention date
       Contravention time
       Contravention location
       Penalty amount
       Contravention
       Referral date
       Decision Date
       Adjudicator
       Appeal decision
       Direction
       within 28 days.
       Reasons
       1. Mrs xxxx has limited English, and did not understand the
       wording on the road surface or the signs. While ignorance of the
       law, and the meaning of road signs, is not a reason for allowing
       an appeal, it is mitigation. Mrs xxxx is on Universal Credit and
       has three dependent children. Evidence has been provided of this
       as part of her appeal.
       2. I dismiss the appeals, because I find that the restriction
       was adequately signed and marked. Mrs xxx may not have
       understood these signs and markings, but they were there to be
       seen and understood.
       3. I did invite the authority to reconsider the amount of
       penalties sought from Mrs xxxx, and adjourned the case for that
       reason, but the appropriate officer for the authority has
       responded saying that ‘Whilst I note the comments regarding Mrs
       xxxx’s situation and the financial difficulties they experience,
       the Penalty Charge Notice follows a statutory process which
       adheres to strict timelines. Unfortunately we are unable to take
       any financial circumstances into account and are unable to offer
       any instalment plans or arrive at an agreed overall sum, as
       suggested.’
       4. I must therefore dismiss these appeals, which will require
       the penalties to be paid in full within 28 days. I suggest that
       Mrs xxxx considers contacting one of the free debt advice
       charities available online, such as www.stepchange.org.
       #Post#: 127713--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Merton - unable to do what it's able to do
   DIR By: Hippocrates
       Date: August 13, 2026, 7:02 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I abhor this council for good reason and the result would have
       been rather different with proper representation. Time to hatch
       one of Baldrick's cunning plans.
  HTML http://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/merton-52j-failing-to-comply-with-a-prohibition-ltn-abbey-road-jw-high-path/msg121504/#msg121504
       This kind of situation inspired me to write this:
  HTML http://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/enforcement-of-traffic-penalties-by-london-councils-training-of-staff-changes-in/
       At the moment recipients are even more ignorant than the robbers
       who fleece them and it really is time to do something about this
       in Parliament.
       And I am taking this one all the way and I will invite the Press
       to attend:
  HTML http://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/merton-52j-failing-to-comply-with-a-prohibition-on-certain-types-of-vehicle-loca/msg127210/#msg127210
       #Post#: 127819--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Merton - unable to do what it's able to do
   DIR By: roythebus
       Date: August 14, 2026, 3:39 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The victim's first language isn't English? Hmmm, in my recent
       Employment Tribunal cases most of the claimants didn't have
       english as a first language and the ET Judge was very
       accommodating for these people. Maybe the Traffic Tribunal
       judges could take a leaf out of the ET judge's book.
       #Post#: 127826--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Merton - unable to do what it's able to do
   DIR By: Hippocrates
       Date: August 14, 2026, 6:30 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: roythebus link ---
       >
       > The victim's first language isn't English? Hmmm, in my recent
       Employment Tribunal cases most of the claimants didn't have
       english as a first language and the ET Judge was very
       accommodating for these people. Maybe the Traffic Tribunal
       judges could take a leaf out of the ET judge's book.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I recently observed a Camden case with said adjudicator and the
       appellant was Greek and he was most accommodating with the
       interpreter.  Sadly, I could say nothing as an obserber and
       probably would have won the case on their pi££ poor website.
       I have been before him several times and I regard him in the
       most positve terms.
       Such is life and I refer to my other Flame Pit thread to
       encourage people to write to their MPs to do something about
       this situation.
  HTML http://www.ftla.uk/the-flame-pit/enforcement-of-traffic-penalties-by-london-councils-training-of-staff-changes-in/
       This applies mainly to council staff who are anonymous,
       incompetent yet powerful. I have said all ths to many
       adjudicators.
       My new logo: Michelangelo's David (which I have personally seen
       in Florence). I need support, and I mean proactive support, to
       expose this fiasco from members to get this aired at The
       Transprt Select Committee via their MPs.
       Otherwise, just crack on, moan and achieve nothing.
       *****************************************************
       Page 1 of 1