Bromley - where traffic wardens don't think.

 

This Citroen car was ticketed twice in a week when it didn't move. The second PCN is therefore not valid due to there having been only one continuous contravention.

Mr Mustard doesn't know if it was the same traffic warden on both occasions or if two unthinking traffic wardens are employed.

A further oddness in this case is that the Mercedes wasn't ticketed. That fits in with Mr Mustard's hit and run theory. Traffic wardens don't like to be caught in the act so they ticket one car, chosen at random, and then move on so they don't get into conflict with drivers, a conflict which would be justified here as the cars are not in contravention. Do you know why?

If not, best read on.

The blue sign at the top right of the lower picture shows where parking with two wheels on the pavement is not allowed or allowed (reading from left to right).

The snag is that this sign has been turned back to front. It should be facing the carriageway so that drivers can see it on the move and park accordingly. (Individual start and end of pavement parking can be mounted at 90 degrees to the kerb facing traffic so that drivers can easily see them on the move but a pair of signs can't be mounted that way).

The traffic warden should have thought about (checked) the signs before he got his equipment out to issue a PCN (it will be in the contract which Mr Mustard thinks is with APCOA). It is clearly logically wrong if you look at the top picture. Beyond the lamppost is a junction and so to park there at all would be dangerous and a breach of the guidance in the Highway Code which councils are so fond of sanctimoniously quoting at motorists whilst rejecting their PCN representations.

What is more, Bromley Council agree.

The PCNs have got a bit out of hand due to missing paperwork and have reached bailiffs. The motorist in this case has asked his local councillors to help in putting his case to the parking department.

Will the council want to rely on the PCNs, even though they are undoubtedly wrong, thanks to a perceived procedural failure by the motorist or will they do the decent thing and cancel.

They will be squarely in Mr Mustard's sights if they don't cancel out of time.

The end, for now.

Update: 17 December 2021. After some trawling of the internet Mr Mustard found an email address for a manager. he sent a detailed letter making late representations and putting forward reasons why they should be considered and they have been. The manager agreed with Mr Mustard and has cancelled both PCNs and recorded contractual defaults against the contractor.