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#Post#: 80351--------------------------------------------------
Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road North O
DIR By: duniya
Date: July 9, 2025, 6:10 pm
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Hi all,
I’m seeking some advice regarding a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
I recently received for an alleged traffic contravention,
specifically, entering a pedestrian zone during restricted
hours.
The restrictions for the zone are as follows:
Monday to Friday:
8:00 – 9:00 AM
2:45 – 3:45 PM
The PCN states that my vehicle entered the zone on 01/07/2025 at
08:34 AM.
On that day, I was dropping my daughter off at Finchley Memorial
Hospital for her work experience. I relied on Google Maps for
navigation, as I was unfamiliar with the area and wanted to
ensure she arrived on time. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the
local restrictions.
After receiving the PCN, I revisited the route and location and
now believe I may have grounds to appeal due to inadequate
signage. My reasons are as follows (in no particular order):
The font size on the restriction signs is too small to be
clearly legible while driving.
The positioning and angle of the sign when turning right makes
it easy to miss and difficult to read.
The sign appears to be damaged, split vertically in the middle
which further impacts visibility and legibility.
The sign on the opposite side, near the corner, is fully
obscured by tree foliage and easily missed.
Another sign on the approach road is similarly obscured by a
tree and lacks sufficient prominence.
These observations are supported by both the photos included in
the PCN and additional photographs I took when revisiting the
location after receiving the notice.
Additionally, as I was unaware of the restriction at the time,
I’ve now seen on the online portal that further PCNs may have
been issued for the same contravention on subsequent days
although I have not yet received the physical notices.
From what I’ve read in other posts, it appears that it may be
possible to request the cancellation of any subsequent PCNs by
referencing the initial one, particularly if they relate to the
same ongoing issue and were incurred before I was made aware of
the restriction.
I would appreciate any guidance on whether these points form a
reasonable basis for an appeal, and if so, how best to frame my
response.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
PCN -
HTML https://imgur.com/a/deA7Jvr
PCN Images -
HTML https://imgur.com/a/deA7Jvr
Google maps -
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mof2KX7aU7GrLseJ8
Photo turning right -
HTML https://imgur.com/a/deA7Jvr
#Post#: 80371--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road Nor
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: July 10, 2025, 4:00 am
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--- Quote ---
> I relied on Google Maps for navigation,
--- End Quote ---
Oh dear, oh dear, how many times do we read this on this forum !
Using and obeying satnavs unthinkingly in London is the most
common reason we see for people getting surprise PCNs. One must
always be alert for restricted streets if driving on minor
streets in London. I would think virtually every street with a
school on it in London will have such restrictions, if not now,
soon.
In regard to submitting representations, the problem is that
there is an advance sign on the street you approached to make
the RH turn into the restricted street. It is of the type we
like to see, namely a plan of the junction, with the restricted
street shown: -
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/oz5m43xsdJvmk8KJ9
You are on stronger ground if you get more PCNs dated between
the date of the first contravention, and the date the PCN for it
arrived. Usually, an OP will pay the first and appeal the rest,
but see what the others say. Don't, however, wait so long that
you pass the deadline for payment or appealing, because then it
is game over.
#Post#: 80375--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road Nor
DIR By: duniya
Date: July 10, 2025, 4:19 am
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Dear Incandescent,
Thank you for your reply, and greatly appreciated.
While I did rely on Google Maps for navigation, I fully
acknowledge that it is the driver's responsibility to observe
and comply with all road rules, and I do not dispute this.
Regarding your point: "The problem is that there is an advance
sign on the street you approached to make the right-hand turn
into the restricted street."
On my approach, this sign was obscured by a tree, as shown in
the image I’ve attached. In my opinion, the sign’s small size
and low visibility made it easy to miss, and I did not have
adequate time to notice, read, and process the information it
displayed.
Best regards,
#Post#: 80378--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road Nor
DIR By: duniya
Date: July 10, 2025, 4:24 am
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Dear Incandescent,
I realised that I have not included the photo with reference to
""The problem is that there is an advance sign on the street you
approached to make the right-hand turn into the restricted
street."
On my approach, this sign was obscured by a tree, as shown in
the image I’ve attached. In my opinion, the sign’s small size
and low visibility made it easy to miss, and I did not have
adequate time to notice, read, and process the information it
displayed.
"
please see -
HTML https://imgur.com/a/YVj9xGz
#Post#: 80399--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road Nor
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: July 10, 2025, 6:27 am
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OK, you say that tree obscured the sign, but once you get to
this tree this is what you see: -
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/pj7iD6fV86vtrsZw5
Remember it is 20mph here, so an adjudicator may well decide
that the tree is sufficiently far away not to obscure the sign.
It is an adjudicator at London Tribunals you must convince
because the council are extremely unlikely to accept your
representations. Going to LT means the full PCN penalty is in
play, so you must have a solid case. At the moment, I don't
think this is the case, but see what the others may say.
However, don't wait so long that you miss the deadline for
paying or appealing or it's game over.
#Post#: 80602--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road Nor
DIR By: duniya
Date: July 11, 2025, 9:23 am
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Hi Incandescent,
Thank you for your feedback you've raised some very valid
points, which I will definitely take into account.
That said, on the specific day(s) in question, there may have
been vehicles or other obstructions blocking the sign, which
could have contributed to the oversight.
As you rightly mentioned, this is ultimately something I would
need to convince the adjudicator of at London Tribunals, should
I choose to proceed down that route. I would also argue that the
sign’s size and low placement made it difficult to notice.
Would you be able to suggest any specific wording I should use
when submitting the initial appeal for the first PCN?
Additionally, I’ve now received a second PCN. Could you advise
on how best to reference the first one in order to strengthen my
appeal or request cancellation of the second?
Thanks,
#Post#: 80643--------------------------------------------------
Re: Barnet Council - 53J Failing to comply with a restriction on
vehicles entering a pedestrian zone - Crescent Road Nor
DIR By: mrmustard
Date: July 11, 2025, 4:00 pm
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I am fighting 29 PCN for a resident of this road. I hope to have
a decision next week. Barnet don't care how many pcn you have,
they want them all paid. Just do nothing for now, we have time.
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