Appealing PCN Matham Grove

[Chuckd]

A few weeks ago I parked in the parking space at the lordship lane end of Matham Grove.  It is free to park there for 30 mins but you have to register on the pay by phone app.  For which you pay a 20p admin fee - which is outrageous in itself. Anyway I put it on the app and was gone no longer than 10 minutes. When I came back I found a warden issuing a ticket.  I said that I had registered but when I opened the app there was just a wheel going round so there was a glitch with the app. The warden said that he had seen me leave my car so agreed I had not been longer than the allocated free time and did not warrant a ticket, but said he could not take the ticket back once issued but that our conversation was on record and I should appeal.

so I did. I provided a photo of the app with the screen going around and which had timings on it.  My appeal has been rejected. Because I had not paid for parking which is free!!!

to add to the confusion the 30 mins free parking sign had fallen off - see attached photo of the sign on both sides of Matham grove. 
 
What I would like to know is do you think I should appeal the fine or pay the £55 fine now before it doubles??  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hen123]

It is worth trying even if you fail. If you appeal they normally stop the clock on the increased fine (check that’s this case with this one). Sounds like you had acted reasonably and in good faith. Unfortunately that doesn’t always cut it. There is advice online about appealing them. 

[marctt]

From experience, it's the norm that the local authority reject appeals regardless of facts.

Suggest you appeal and highlight that you followed the requirements by using the app to log the parking session and the failure of the app / network to register this is a technical issue beyond your control for which you can not be held responsible for and accordingly not penalised.

Also that the traffic wardens records confirm you were parked for less than the free period so again should not be penalised.

Do a search on web for similar appeals

The 'fight back forum' website used to be very good for people sharing there appeals experience; and looks like this is no longer running but try https://www.ftla.uk

I've appealed loads of Penalty Charge Notices for myself, friends and family and all been successful. In approx half of the appeals the local authority did not even respond and were won by default. 

Re 20p fee - check if you you have text message alert 'on' as these are generally charged for and if so turn it off to save text fee.

Hope this helps

For Clarity, you need to follow the process, so have to first appeal to the local authority that issued the PCN (sounds like you've done this). 

Then you can appeal to the London Tribunals and the local authority have to tell you this and tell you your reference number to submit this appeal.

 

Also when you submit appeal - choose 'no contravention occurred'

[Chuckd]

29 minutes ago, marctt said:

From experience, it's the norm that the local authority reject appeals regardless of facts.

Suggest you appeal and highlight that you followed the requirements by using the app to log the parking session and the failure of the app / network to register this is a technical issue beyond your control for which you can not be held responsible for and accordingly not penalised.

Also that the traffic wardens records confirm you were parked for less than the free period so again should not be penalised.

Do a search on web for similar appeals

The 'fight back forum' website used to be very good for people sharing there appeals experience; and looks like this is no longer running but try https://www.ftla.uk

I've appealed loads of Penalty Charge Notices for myself, friends and family and all been successful. In approx half of the appeals the local authority did not even respond and were won by default. 

Re 20p fee - check if you you have text message alert 'on' as these are generally charged for and if so turn it off to save text fee.

Hope this helps

For Clarity, you need to follow the process, so have to first appeal to the local authority that issued the PCN (sounds like you've done this). 

Then you can appeal to the London Tribunals and the local authority have to tell you this and tell you your reference number to submit this appeal.

 

Also when you submit appeal - choose 'no contravention occurred'

Thanks that’s all really useful.

[ArchieCarlos]

Hi

The 20p charge is for receiving SMS reminders from Paybyphone. You can turn this feature off and the parking will actually be free. 

Paybyphone is awfully slow at processing payments and if you close the app/lock your phone before it’s done doing that (while still on the buffering wheel logo), the payment won’t go through and parking won’t be registered. Sometimes it takes 2-3minutes for the payment to go through.

If you follow my advice above and get actually free parking, there is no payment processing and you get instant confirmation.