DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
FreeTrafficLegalAdvice
HTML https://ftla.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so ...
*****************************************************
#Post#: 102414--------------------------------------------------
Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: hot_chocolate
Date: December 14, 2025, 12:59 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone,
Received a ticket in a place with free parking subject to
registration. I've drafted my appeal below, and would appreciate
any input to help sharpen. Thanks.
PCN Number: 1F12228449
Contravention Code: 11u
Location: Reads Close, Ilford
I wish to formally appeal the above PCN.
On the day in question, shortly before 4:00pm, I parked at Reads
Close in Ilford in order to eat with my family at Steakbox,
which is located just around the corner. The restaurant staff
explicitly informed me that parking at Reads Close is free for
at least the first hour, subject only to registering the
vehicle.
I moved my car to Reads Close and, at approximately 4:21pm,
attempted to register my free parking using the RingGo app.
However, the app would not open, and at the same time my phone
was unable to make outgoing calls for reasons beyond my control.
I spent several minutes attempting to resolve this and looking
for alternative ways to register.
At around 4:25pm, I walked back to the restaurant to use my
wife’s phone. Using her phone, I successfully called the
registration number and completed the free parking registration
by approximately 4:31pm (see attached image). When I returned to
my vehicle at 4:49pm, I found that a PCN had already been
issued.
There was no intention whatsoever to avoid registration or
payment. No payment was required in any event, as this is a free
parking period, and I made genuine and prompt efforts to comply
with the terms. I have a clear history of paying for and
registering parking via RingGo and similar systems and have no
incentive to avoid doing so, particularly where parking was
free.
The alleged contravention occurred only because of temporary
technical issues with my phone, and I completed registration as
soon as it was practically possible. Issuing a PCN in these
circumstances is unfair and disproportionate, as I was acting in
good faith and complied with the requirement to register.
I therefore respectfully request that this PCN be cancelled.
Please also note that in the case that this is rejected, I will
take this to the tribunal.
[img]
HTML https://ibb.co/hFsnTdkn[/img]
[img]
HTML https://ibb.co/6JZZLJcq[/img]
Attachment links, in case doesn't show up:
HTML https://ibb.co/hFsnTdkn
HTML https://ibb.co/6JZZLJcq
#Post#: 102422--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: December 14, 2025, 2:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote ---
> Issuing a PCN in these circumstances is unfair and
disproportionate,
--- End Quote ---
So how could a patrolling CEO know you were having problems with
your phone, as clearly, you were not by the car using the phone
to make payment ? So the PCN was not unfair and
disproportionate, was it. What would be unfair, I think, is if
the council just send you a Fob-Off letter when you submit reps
on the circumstances that gave rise to the issue of a PCN. The
sticking point is that your text implies it was your phone that
was at fault, as you were able to make payment using your wife's
phone, so they may not give way. Maybe check the signal for the
network your phone uses. Councils seem to assume mobile phone
coverage is 100% everywhere which it most definitely is not.
However, as I see it, the winning point in your text is the
contravention on the PCN, and the fact that you parked there for
the free period, so how can you have failed to pay the parking
charge ?
Wait a bit for others to comment.
#Post#: 102426--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: December 14, 2025, 3:15 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Scrap your challenge.
The PCN time is 16:29 with only 1 minute observation.
Your parking session started at 16:31.
The difference - if end of 16:29 and beginning of 16:31 - is
about 1 minute.
You left the car because unable to start it on your phone and
your wife nearby succeeded.
This is in the bounds of time allowed to start a session so
don't volunteer other details.
#Post#: 102436--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: hot_chocolate
Date: December 14, 2025, 5:20 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your input. Please let me know if you think any
further changes are needed to the draft below. Thanks again.
PCN Number: 1F12228449
Contravention Code: 11u
Location: Reads Close, Ilford
I challenge this PCN on the basis that the alleged contravention
did not occur.
The PCN alleges a failure to pay a parking charge. However, at
this location the relevant parking period was free, subject only
to registering the vehicle. No parking charge was payable at the
time, and therefore it is not possible for a failure to pay a
parking charge to have occurred.
In any event, the PCN records a contravention time of 16:29,
with an observation period of only one minute. The parking
session was successfully registered at 16:31, meaning the
difference between the end of the alleged contravention and the
start of the session is approximately one minute.
I had left the vehicle briefly in order to register the session,
which was completed immediately thereafter. This falls well
within the reasonable time allowed to commence a parking
session, particularly where no payment is required. A one-minute
gap does not amount to a failure to comply with the parking
terms, and issuing a PCN with such a minimal observation period
is premature.
For these reasons, the alleged contravention did not occur and
the PCN should be cancelled.
#Post#: 102491--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: hot_chocolate
Date: December 15, 2025, 6:34 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
Grateful for feedback so far. Just bumping this to see if
anything else to add/remove. Thanks.
#Post#: 102492--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: December 15, 2025, 6:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Looks OK to me, but don't expect them to cancel the PCN. In all
likelihood they will just send out the usual Fob-Off letter.
They do this, because then >95% of people then just cough-up to
get the discount, not knowing the detail of the law.
#Post#: 102493--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: December 15, 2025, 6:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
No it's not right. I will redraft it for you later. There is no
rush as the PCN was yesterday.
Why are you leading with the free hour when you say you went to
a restaurant? Do you have proof you were parked for less than an
hour?
#Post#: 102496--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: hot_chocolate
Date: December 15, 2025, 7:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks.
[member=12]Incandescent[/member] What is the law in this case?
[member=2249]stamfordman[/member] thanks - I took a picture of
my dashboard with the time and the pcn side-by-side. Of course,
this merely suggests that I became aware of the pcn by this
time. If they have cctv, then that should verify that I was out
of the car park straight after.
HTML https://ibb.co/9krWrhtg
HTML https://ibb.co/PvvBmWnq
Was having a look at the Redbridge website for more info on
RingGo - the same info is also in the carpark
(
HTML https://ibb.co/QvPrwZtQ).
Interestingly, the third way of
paying, via PayPoint, is only possible if one exits the car
park. There is no PayPoint within the car park itself. This
would seem to suggest that there must be some grace period,
otherwise it would be quite difficult to reach the nearest
paypoint.
"You can pay in person with cash, credit or debit card at one of
the many PayPoint outlets in the borough.
These are recognisable by the PayPoint logo, typically displayed
in the window or on a sign outside the shop.
To use PayPoint for parking payments:
park your car in a “paid for parking” space
note the location code displayed on RingGo signs near to it
go to your nearest PayPoint outlet
tell the outlet that you want to pay for parking and give your
location code, vehicle registration number and duration for
parking
the PayPoint outlet will create you session and charge you the
relevant amount
HTML https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/parking/ringgo-and-paypoint-paying-for-parking/
#Post#: 102723--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: hot_chocolate
Date: December 16, 2025, 3:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone,
Just bumping the above ... grateful for feedback so far. Looking
to submit appeal in next couple of days. Thanks.
#Post#: 102725--------------------------------------------------
Re: Redbridge, Code 11u, Reads Close
DIR By: stamfordman
Date: December 16, 2025, 4:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I am challenging the PCN because I was in the process of
starting a parking session and started one very shortly after
the issue of the PCN.
As you can see from the attached receipt the session started at
16:31 and the PCN time is 16:29, which means the difference
could be as little as minute.
I left the car because I had trouble using my phone to start the
session, but my wife was nearby and we quickly used her phone to
register the live session.
As this was a minimal difference in timing and on my
understanding that drivers are allowed time to register a
session after parking I look forward to your cancellation of
this PCN.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 3
DIR Next Page