The role of an adjudicator is to apply the law and if therefore, as in this case, the permit is not adequately displayed. In this case the resident was issued with three PCNs in quick succession because his permit was slightly hidden by the black dots around the edge of the windscreen.
The evidence to the tribunal from Redbridge Council included this:
The same car had been parked in the same road for a year and the traffic warden often chatted to the resident and was well aware which car was his and should therefore have exercised discretion and not issued a PCN or three. In the alternative, why doesn't the traffic warden ('CEO') use his radio to contact the office and ask which vehicle the permit is for. That would be equitable given that permit zones are there to protect the residents, not to punish them.
Mr Mustard isn't entirely convinced that traffic wardens are kept in the dark. If you live there do ask a warden to look up your car and see what they say.
If there hadn't been other grounds except for being a permit holder the adjudicator might have made a recommendation to cancel as he was clearly unimpressed with Redbridge Council wanting (initially) three PCNs to be paid for as they rejected both the informal challenges and the formal representations. The evidence pack arrived at the last minute and the cheapskate council by using second class post rather than first class opened the door to what was, in the end, an easy win. They also didn't prove the past this point zone entry signs so Mr Mustard was too observant for them. Councils win so many Appeals against unrepresented motorists because the public doesn't have a history of fighting back and know what is likely to work. Mr Mustard hopes to write some guides this year to particular aspects of parking law and practice.
The end.
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