Residents Parking/ Pay and display Parking ticket- HELP NEEDED

[D.Golding]

I recieved a parking ticket today whilst displaying a pay and display ticket.

 

I had drove along the road (Arley Hill, Cotham Bristol- new residents parking scheme set up nov 2012) looking for a space

and noticed a bay opposite the pay and display meter,

 

I parked, paid my money and merrily went on my way however

 

on returning to my car I noticed the dredded yellow ticket,

 

stating contravention 16 : parked in a permit space without displaying a valid permit.

 

I had mistakenly parked in the sole residents parking bays (between 9-5) instead of the dual use bays.

 

I hadnt seen the sign as it was a few metres up the road attached to the wall and the van infront had obscured my view.

 

By walking across the road to the pay and display meter I didnt have to walk past the sign.

 

Is this hard luck on my part or is their grounds for appeal?

 

any help would be much appreciated!!

 

Thanks in advance

[dx100uk]

does the ticket say

PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE

 

dx

[D.Golding]

Hi Dx

 

Yes!?

 

Regards

[dx100uk]

ok just checking it is not a speculative invoice

 

dx

[Jamberson]

So it's a bona-fide PCN, as it is titled "Penalty Charge Notice".

 

You can try appealing on the basis that it was a genuine error. Point out that you paid for a ticket and had no intention of trying to park for free, or of defrauding the system. Say it was a geniune mistake and please would they consider cancelling on this occasion, and next time you will make sure you check the bay markings thoroughly.

 

You have a chance.

[D.Golding]

Thanks for your swift replies, I was thinking of appealing on the basis it was a genuine mistake however wondered if there was some loop hole I could exploit as reading though the forum they seem as though they're tricky customers and will stick to their guns!

[Surfer01]

Check for signpost requiring the resident's permit and if they comply with regulations.

[Desperate Daniella]

And do send a photocopy of the ticket with your letter.

[sgtbush]

maybe their are some signage issues, but a sign that was blocked by a van wouldnt stick, maybe not enough or wrong type etc

 

i would appeal on the grounds that you genuinly made a mistake but you paid the correct parking fee, just parked in the wrong bay, maybe the council will be nice!

if you dont ask you dont get etc!! lol

[D.Golding]

The sign in question is actually attached to a wall which is approx 15 metres from where I had parked so looking down the road it's impossible to see however the sign opposite (pay and display and residents parking) is attached to a pole and was the only one clearly visible from where I had parked.

Hopefully they will see its a genuine mistake as I had atleast paid for what I thought was the correct bay (not holding my breath though!)

[Jamberson]

Mention that in your letter, as part of your description of what happened. The sign position may not invalidate the bay, but it adds to your explanation.