London drivers receiving invalid fines

22/01/2025 | ELLIE AMES

London drivers receiving invalid fines

Research by the AA has revealed that authorities in London have been issuing drivers with invalid penalty charge notices (PCNs).

A review of appeals taken to the London Tribunals in the three weeks up to 4 January found that at least 12 authorities had wrongly fined drivers, with 17 appeals upheld.

The authorities were Lambeth, Croydon, Harrow, Redbridge, Greenwich, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Newham, Westminster, and Havering councils, the City of London Corporation, and Transport for London.

Traffic adjudicators ordered that fines were cancelled for a range of reasons, including because authorities could not prove that the traffic management order (TMO) had not expired or that an enforcement camera had been installed legally.

In two instances, the supposed contravention was found not to have occurred at all, and in several cases drivers were fined when the signage to inform them of a restriction was inadequate.

One driver was issued with two fines for entering two restricted access areas – but she pointed out that once she realised she had driven into one, there was no way of leaving it without entering the other.

In another case, a woman was assured by a council employee that her resident permit enabled her to enter restricted school zones – but the council later fined her for doing so.

A London Councils spokesperson said: ‘We encourage any motorist who does not believe that the PCN should have been issued to make representations to the relevant local authority, and then appeal any rejected decision with London Tribunals.’

Overall, 56% of appeals made against bus lane penalties in London last year were either upheld or not contested. The figure was 35% for moving traffic offences.

Luke Bosdet, from the AA's motoring policy unit, said the Department for Transport (DfT) needed to review the ‘lack of accountability’ for councils’ road traffic enforcement.

The DfT said councils must ensure that TMOs were up to date, and that it would be ‘sharing proposals to modernise this process’ and make it more efficient.

This article first appeared on localgov.co.uk.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Head of Service Traffic and Projects

£76,665 to £79,812
We are seeking a dynamic and highly qualified individual to lead our Traffic, Projects and Design & Construction division. Leyton, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Waltham Forest

UGO bus Coordinator

£26357.0000 - £31008.0000 per annum + pension
UGO bus CoordinatorPermanent, Full Time£26,357 to £31,008 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

UGO bus Coordinator

£26357.00 - £31008.00 per annum + pension
UGO bus CoordinatorPermanent, Full Time£26,357 to £31,008 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
This role is fundamental to the success of the Highways Service. Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW