Parking 

If you believe that the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was wrongly served and should not be paid, you should submit an informal challenge or make a formal representation, dependent on what stage the PCN is.

Do not pay for the PCN if you wish to appeal as the case will be closed on the grounds of liability being accepted and no further correspondence will be responded to.

You can Submit your challenge/representation online. Your PCN number will be required (including the prefix “CG or BZ”) as well as your vehicle registration number.

Alternatively, you can submit your challenge or representation by post to Parking Services, PO Box 500, Barking IG11 7LU.

• Informal Challenges
• Formal Representation
• Parking Adjudicator

This option is available if you have received:

• PCNs issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO)
• PCNs relating to Bus Lane contraventions

An informal challenge submitted within the first 14 days of the contravention (if issued by a CEO) or 14 days from the date of service of a bus lane PCN will be put on hold until we respond to you with the outcome of our decision. Please note, you do not need to pay the charge at the time of making an informal challenge.

If your challenge is successful, the PCN will be cancelled and no further action will be necessary. If your challenge is unsuccessful and rejected, we will re-offer you the opportunity to pay at the discounted rate.

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you will have to wait till a Notice to Owner or an Enforcement Notice (for a Bus Lane PCN) has been issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle after which a formal representation can be made. Please note that at this stage, you will be making representation against the full charge.

This option is available if you have received:

• Notice to Owner - relating to PCN issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO)
• Enforcement Notice - relating to Bus Lane contraventions
• Penalty Charge Notices served by post (except bus lane contraventions)

There are specified grounds on which representations may be made on each of the documents listed above. An officer within the parking administration team will carefully consider your representations and reply to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

If your representation is successful, the PCN will be cancelled and no further action will be necessary. If your representation is unsuccessful and rejected, you will be sent a formal 'Notice of Rejection' along with an appeal form with which you can appeal further to the independent adjudicator if you choose not to pay the full amount within 28 days.

If your formal representations have been rejected, and you still want to appeal further, you can appeal to an independent Parking Adjudicator at the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PATAS). Please note that the Adjudicator is restricted by law to considering appeals only on specific grounds.

Once you have submitted your appeal to the adjudicator, a hearing date will be set and the local authority will be given the opportunity to defend its stand not to cancel the PCN. Appeals can be decided either in person or by post, depending on your preference.

The decision of the Adjudicator is binding on both the Council and the person making the appeal.  If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will have to pay the full penalty charge.