Questions about a PCN issued in person

Can I pay the PCN and challenge it?

You can make a challenge against a PCN before a formal Notice to Owner is issued. If you wish to make a challenge, please do not make payment, as this will close the case and we will be unable to consider your challenge. If payment is received after we have written to inform you that your challenge has been rejected, you will not have the opportunity to pursue an appeal.

Can I still pay the reduced charge if I challenge the PCN?

You will be given an opportunity to pay the reduced charge if your challenge against the PCN is unsuccessful, provided that your challenge was received within 14 calendar days of the issue date of the PCN. We will consider your circumstances and write informing you of our decision. If we accept your challenge, we will cancel the PCN and you will not need to pay. If we reject your challenge, we will give you the opportunity to pay the reduced charge for a further 14 days from the date of our reply.

If your challenge is received after the period of 14 days from the issue date of the PCN, the full charge will be payable if your challenge is unsuccessful.

What happens when we receive a challenge?

We will carefully consider any challenge made and attempt to reach a fair decision based on the evidence available to us. We will address all the points you have made and explain the reasons for our decision.

If we ask you to provide more evidence to support your case, we will allow you a reasonable amount of time to respond to our request, normally 14 days.

If we reject your challenge, we will write to inform you of:

The amount outstanding
How to make payment
How to pursue your appeal

What happens if I am dissatisfied with the response to my challenge?

A formal representation can be made by the registered keeper after the issue of a Notice to Owner which confirms the contravention and the outstanding charge. The keeper can then choose to either pay the charge or make a representation. If we receive a representation, we will review the case, check all the details and consider any additional supporting evidence. If we reject the representation, we will issue a Notice of Rejection and the registered keeper may then either pay the charge or make an appeal to the independent Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ETA).

What happens if I receive the Notice to Owner/Enforcement Notice and do nothing?

If neither full payment nor representations are received within 28 days of the date of the Notice to Owner, the charge may increase by 50% and a Charge Certificate may be served seeking payment of the increased charge.

My representation has been rejected, what can I do now?

You can appeal to the independent Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ETA). If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will be notified of how much you need to pay. Generally, this will be the same amount as shown on the Notice to Owner. If your appeal is successful, you will be notified that payment is not required and the case has been cancelled.

Can I appeal to the independent Parking Adjudicator at any stage?

Legally the Traffic Management Act does not allow appeals to the adjudicator until a formal representation has been rejected by the council.