Dear all,

I don't even know where to start with my case, but it's one I've never ever encountered and therefore seek your expert guidance and support with this matter.

For the past 3 years I have owned an SUV and lived in Southampton with my mother whom is disabled, mentally not 100% and suffers from memory loss. For my work, I have had to drive and sometimes stay over in London/Harrow. We then both moved to London last month. Due to the ULEZ in London I decided buy another car that would exempt me from ULEZ and put my SUV for sale.

A few days ago I received 3 PCN's pretty much within the same week with the following contravention: 53 - FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A RESTRICTION ON VEHICLES ENTERING A PEDESTRIAN ZONE. They were sent for my new car. Luckily I was at home during this time! I got frustrated and panicked at the same time, because my uncle had driven my SUV quite a few times previously through this particular road. Having researched the road (College Rd - Sheepcote Rd) in Harrow, it seems like the signs they placed, which is the pedestrian zone sign followed by the "no turn" sign is very confusing as it only really shows when entering the road, but obviously I did not notice this and was never notified of (I thought!).

I quickly ran a check on the Harrow website as I had never seen any PCN's for my SUV being sent home. Now it seems that I apparently had received 16 PCN's! There are no dates that are shown on the website and from looking at the pictures they uploaded, the time stamps are barely visible and not clear to read. Regardless of this, I know I did not take this road, but that my uncle told me previously that he knew a short cut whenever he drove to Tesco's, which was as it seems to be this particular road.

I have to admit that I have taken the same road using my new car recently, but clearly did not pay attention at all to the pedestrian zone sign as it's not clearly shown and there are no signs prior to the pedestrian zone to state that cars are not allowed to enter and only a left turn is permitted. Even once entered the zone, you are not permitted to turn due to sign following.

The reason why I never got these PCN's for my SUV is, because my mother used to throw all of them away! I nearly caught her throwing away the ones for my new vehicle. When i told her not to throw it away as they are penalty tickets that I need to pay, she said that she thought they were commercials and not important and that she used to throw them away in our previously place, because they all looked alike when she looked at the pictures!!

To finalize this mad situation I am in, my uncle that used to drive my SUV unfortunately passed away on the 2nd of July 2019.

The SUV has 16 PCN's recorded that equates to £3000+ (full pay for each PCN). The saloon has 5 PCN's recorded that currently equates £390.

Reading the above and thinking about my own situation, I am totally lost for words. I have already gone through a divorce and have had to start my life from scratch, so having to pay such amount is incredibly difficult for me. I wonder if there is anything that can be done. Any advice and guidance is much appreciated. If I can pay for the PCN's for my new car and get the PCN's scrapped for the SUV then I am happy to do so, but having to pay about £3500 is way too much for me at this stage in my life.

Any help is much appreciated!

I think from the description (Station Road from College Road to Sheepcote Road) it's actually these signs - pretty hard to make a case for not seeing them if so: https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5800966,-0....3312!8i6656


edit - I wonder if the Google streetview van got a ticket, as it clearly went along there!

This post has been edited by Longtime Lurker: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 - 22:04

Yes I know where the OP got the PCNs. I'm pointing out that he had already entered an access only road, which he seems to have missed.

Correction noted.

I will give them a call tomorrow to see what can be done. Any suggestions in terms of what I should be asking? Should I be explaining the situation over the phone?




I've actually seen quite a few cars and van's go through Station Rd, hence I didn't really look out for the signs.

With regards to the first sign, I have seen it before, but that particular road is fine to drive through, yet it's a sign to say that it's prohibited for cars and motorbikes. Again not realizing that they mean prohibited for entry through Station Rd, which is a bit further down.
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5789528,-0....6384!8i8192

I admit not seeing the second sign.

This post has been edited by Paya: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 - 22:20

Explaining what?
Post #7 tells you and I repeated it in #16. I can't see how it could be clearer.

Ignore me! Sorry, my head is literally all over the place. I'll ask about them about the options I have and will provide you with an update.

This post has been edited by Paya: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 - 22:46

Just to give you an update. I've managed to speak to TEC and after they checked a few of the PCN's, it looks like I am in the following situation:

- 10 PCN's with each a balance of £203 are out of time.
- 6 PCN's of which 5 are £195 and 1 is £130 are in time and not registered yet

The guy I spoke to mentioned he had never heard of someone with 16 PCN's against their name, but he was quite polite and explained that for the PCN's in time I have to complete a form (Statutory Declaration – unpaid penalty charge PE3) and send this off with any proof that I have that states that my mother is disabled and has been diagnosed with memory loss.

For the ones out of time, I have to complete an additional form (Application to file a Statutory Declaration Out of Time) and send this along with the PE3 form.

I just realized that on the form they sent me it's asking for the dates of the contravention, but I don't have any of these. I'm going to give them a quick call back now to see if they can provide me with this.

This post has been edited by Paya: Tue, 13 Aug 2019 - 11:47

Do you have any?

You need to ask which of the 10 OOT have warrants authorised.

I do have the doctor's statement and all yes. I've spoken to a family member and he is going to set me up with a solicitor to sort this out as I will need to get the statutory forms signed off anyway by e.g. a solicitor.

I'm thinking of borrowing money from a family member and paying all of this just off as I've not been able to sleep for a few days with this going round in my head.

If I were to pay off the outstanding balances today by paying for the individual PCN's, would this cancel off everything? including e.g. the warrants?

FYI- I've just paid off the 5 PCN's that were related to my new car. One worry off my mind..