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#Post#: 95429--------------------------------------------------
Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: beatthecase
Date: October 24, 2025, 11:30 am
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Hello lovely people,
Hope you’re all doing great.
I really need a bit of help with a parking ticket I got on 16
August — my first ever visit to Hainault Forest.
Here’s what happened: my phone completely died, so I couldn’t
use the RingGo app to pay for parking straight away. I had to
walk over to the café (quite far from the car) to find a
charger. Once I managed to get my phone powered up, there were
also issues with my network (Vodafone not being the best). I
paid for parking — so I genuinely didn’t try to avoid paying.
I explained everything clearly in my appeal, including
timestamps. I’ve now received the Notice to Owner, and it feels
really unfair, especially since I did everything I could under
the circumstances and the fact they didn't provide a notice of
rejection.
On top of that, I have ADHD, which makes these situations a bit
more overwhelming — I was trying my best to handle it properly.
If anyone can guide me on what to do next or share some advice,
I’d be massively grateful. I’ve got all the details and proof
ready if needed.
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/0TU3boT_xl.jpg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/5Hg0TPq_xl.JPG
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/wrU5URU_xl.JPEG
Thanks a million for your help! 🙏
#Post#: 95466--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: October 24, 2025, 1:26 pm
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Unfortunately, what you have told us comes under what is called
"mitigation". Your phone ran out of battery power which is
entirely down to you. SO instead of moving off, you went to
find, and presumably buy, a battery charger, then once the phone
was working again, you paid to park. The CEO observed your car
from 15.21 to 15.22, then served a PCN. Your parking session
started 14 minutes later.
You are essentially in the same situation as a person parking
then finding insufficient/no change to put in the ticket
machine, and goes for change. This was long ago disallowed as a
reason for PCN cancellation, however on the other hand, time is
always allowed in which to park and then pay to park. If it
wasn't, nobody could park legally ! I don't think, though, that
your going to charge your phone would be considered by an
adjudicator as part of a normal interval between parking and
making payment.
However, see what the others say.
#Post#: 95713--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: beatthecase
Date: October 27, 2025, 4:46 am
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Pushing to get further responses
[member=1]cp8759[/member]
#Post#: 95719--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: October 27, 2025, 5:24 am
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Let's see your challenge and their rejection letter in full.
There's no point in paying so you may as well just try again but
the best outcome is probably recovering the discount.
Why did your phone run out? Have you thought about getting a an
in-car gadget to charge it? Mine cost £1 and it plugs into any
of three power ports in the car.
#Post#: 95721--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: beatthecase
Date: October 27, 2025, 5:27 am
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--- Quote from: stamfordman link ---
>
> Let's see your challenge and their rejection letter in full.
>
> There's no point in paying so you may as well just try again
but the best outcome is probably recovering the discount.
>
> Why did your phone run out? Have you thought about getting a
an in-car gadget to charge it? Mine cost £1 and it plugs into
any of three power ports in the car.
>
--- End Quote ---
This was my challenge:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally challenge the above Penalty Charge
Notice issued at Hainault Forest. I fully understand the
importance of parking regulations and I normally take great care
to follow them. However, I would respectfully ask that you
reconsider this notice and exercise discretion in light of the
circumstances.
On the day in question, I arrived at Hainault Forest intending
to purchase a valid ticket straight away. Unfortunately my phone
had no battery and when I was able to turn it back on, I also
faced a short delay in regaining connection. As soon as I was
able to do so, I immediately purchased a valid ticket which was
obtained around fifteen minutes after parking and covered my
stay in full. At no point was I attempting to evade payment and
the fact that I did buy a ticket demonstrates my genuine
intention to comply with the rules.
This is the first time I have ever received a PCN and I would
ask that you take into account my clean record as a motorist who
usually complies without issue. This was an isolated incident
caused by unavoidable circumstances beyond my control, and it
should not outweigh years of responsible compliance.
I would also draw your attention to the Council’s duty under the
Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires enforcement to be
fair, proportionate and not applied in a way that undermines
public confidence. The statutory guidance makes clear that local
authorities are expected to use discretion where there are
genuine mitigating circumstances. Furthermore, Redbridge
Council’s own guidance confirms that PCNs may be cancelled if
there are “other compelling reasons”. The situation I faced,
being temporarily unable to purchase a ticket due to a dead
phone and lack of signal, yet paying promptly once able, is
exactly such a compelling reason. The Council has suffered no
loss, as the parking fee was paid in full, and enforcing a
penalty in this case would be disproportionate.
In light of my first time offence, the genuine attempt to
comply, the unavoidable nature of the delay, and your
discretionary powers both under statute and your own policies, I
respectfully request that you cancel this PCN. I trust that the
Council will take a fair and reasonable approach and I am
grateful for your time and consideration.
They did not provide me with a rejection, this was the only
letter I have received.
It ran out because someone borrowed the cable and forgot to put
it back, the wireless pad in the car doesnt work either.
Thanks
#Post#: 95738--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: ivanleo
Date: October 27, 2025, 9:15 am
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--- Quote from: beatthecase link ---
>
> Pushing to get further responses
>
> [member=1]cp8759[/member]
>
--- End Quote ---
Please see the June 2025 update at the bottom of the page here
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/.
#Post#: 95740--------------------------------------------------
Re: Pay by phone only, Paid after ticket HAINAULT FOREST
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: October 27, 2025, 9:32 am
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Are the name and address correct on the NTO?
Unless someone has anything else I would just send your
challenge again.
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