Getting a parking ticket can be a real headache, especially if it feels unfair. If you’ve ever parked your car somewhere and got a Croydon Council parking fine on your windshield, you’re not alone.
The Croydon Parking Council issues fines for various parking violations, and knowing what to do next can save you time, money, and stress. In this article, we’ll explain your options: whether you should pay the fine right away or if it might be worth appealing.
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Croydon Parking Fine: An Intro
Croydon Council parking fine also known as the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued by the Croydon Council officers when motorists break traffic or violate parking regulations.
Below are some of the situations where a PCN is issued:
- Parking in a restricted area.
- Parking in a way obstructing traffic.
- Overstaying a permitted parking duration.
- Driving in bus lanes or other restricted zones.
If you are caught committing an offence while driving, the PCN will be issued at that time. In case, the offence is caught on camera, Croydon Council will send a PCN by post to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Is it necessary to pay the PCN? What will happen if you don’t? Is there a way to appeal to the PCN? Keep reading the article to find out.
Do You Have To Pay The Croydon Council Parking Fine?
You must not ignore a Croydon Council parking fine as it can escalate the matter. It’s wise to pay the fee within 28 days of getting the notice.
The PCN fine amount varies between £60-£130 depending on the area where the violation took place and the seriousness of the offence. For example, the fine for offences in the band A area is higher than the band B area as the band A area is more central and busy.
What will happen if you don’t pay the fine within 28 days? Below are the consequences of not paying a Croydon Council Parking Fine on time:
- The fine will increase by 50%. For example, if the fine is £60 it can become £90 after 28 days. This could be a waste of your money.
- Croydon Council may take court action against you.
- Court actions can lead to County Court Judgement (CCJ) and it can impact your credit score negatively.
- CCJ stays in your credit report for six years making it difficult for you to obtain loans and credit cards, and affects some types of employment too.
It’s always a wise decision to pay off the fine within the given time frame before it leads to serious consequences. If you’re struggling financially to pay off your debts contact the Money Advisor Team for guidance.
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However, if you think you’ve been charged unfairly, you can appeal the decision. Read the next section for a detailed guide to appeal a Croydon Council parking fine.
Croydon Council Parking Fine Appeal
Source: MoneySavingExpert
As the person in the above forum post has mentioned, sometimes you might have got fines unfairly too. In these cases, you can appeal the decision of the Croydon Council.
Believing your Croydon council parking fine appeal has merit? Here’s how to proceed:
- Collect evidence to prove the PCN was unfairly issued. This can be photographs, CCTV footage, witness statements, or other supporting documents. Proof is very important to strengthen your appeal.
- Submit an informal appeal. Write a letter indicating why you think the fine was issued unfairly and include the evidence you have. Send this letter to the local council that issued the fine.
If the Croydon Council issued the PCN fine while in the car, you have 14 days to appeal the decision. In case, the PCN is sent to you by post, you have 21 days to apply for the appeal. - Your informal appeal can be accepted or rejected by the local authority. If it’s rejected you’ll receive a notice indicating the same.
- You can respond to the rejection notice with a formal appeal within 21 days. This can be done on paper or online. You can get the formal appeal form from the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
- If your formal appeal is rejected, the Croydon Council will send you a letter stating rejected. Now you can take the matter to an independent tribunal managed by London Tribunals.
- If the independent Tribunal rejects your appeal, you must pay the fine within 28 days. If you don’t the fine will increase by 50% and continuous non-payment can lead to court actions.
Appealing a decision of the Croydon Council takes time and effort. On the other hand, paying the fine within 14 days gives you a 50% discount. Hence, you must understand which types of situations are best to appeal to and which are not. Let’s look further into it in the next section.
Follow the below practical tips to submit a successful appeal:
- Submit the appeals on time and respond to the notices promptly.
- Keep copies of all your correspondence, evidence, and documents.
- Write the appeal letter clearly. Be concise and write only the relevant details.
Should You Pay Or Appeal The Croydon Council Parking Fine?
The decision of paying the fine or appealing the decision depends on the situation. Following are some of the factors that you must consider when deciding whether to pay or appeal a Croydon Council parking fine.
The strength and relevance of your proof decide your chances of winning the appeal. If you have strong evidence to indicate that you didn’t violate any rule you must appeal. If not, it’s better to pay the fine within 14 days as you’ll get a 50% discount.
If your appeal is rejected, you’ll have to pay a higher fine. Weigh the financial risk carefully and decide the best. Can you afford the higher fine if your appeal is unsuccessful? Consider your financial situation and the potential impact of a higher fine on your budget.
Sometimes, the council might still offer a reduced fine after an appeal. It’s always worth asking before making your decision.
Below are some circumstances where appealing a PCN is advisable:
- If the Croydon Council notice has an incorrect date, time, or location of the offence.
- When the parking signs were not visible or misleading.
- Your parking meter malfunctioned and you couldn’t pay.
- You had a valid parking permit which was overlooked by the officer.
Suppose you decide to pay the Croydon Council parking fine. How would you do it? Let’s explore.
Paying A Croydon Council Parking Fine
If you decide to pay the fine, there are several payment options available as follows:
- Online: This is the fastest and easiest way to pay your fine. You can log into the Croydon Council payment portal and pay the fine using a Visa, Delta, MasterCard, or an Electron card.
- Phone: Call the council’s payment hotline at 0345 3000 614 to make a payment. Ensure you have your PCN number and payment details ready when you call.
- Cheque or Post Office: Traditional methods are still accepted. This option might be suitable for those who prefer not to use digital payment methods. Make sure to include your PCN number on the cheque. If you need a receipt, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the payment.
Tip: Always keep your PCN number handy. Lost it? Contact the council to retrieve your number. Without this number, it can be difficult to process your payment correctly.
If you’re in a financial crisis and need assistance to pay off your fines, you can consult a debt charity. Below are some debt charities in the UK and they guide for free:
- Citizens Advice.
- National Debtline.
- StepChange Debt Charity.
Tips To Avoid Future Croydon Parking Fines
Following the Croydon Council regulations will prevent you from receiving a PCN. Below are some actions you can take to avoid PCN fines in the future:
- Use mobile parking apps: Apps such as Ringo, Pay by Phone, and ParkMobile keep track of your parking time and send reminders before the parking session expires. This helps you to extend the parking time if necessary or to remove your vehicle before the time ends and avoid fines.
- Check the signs: Be alert and read the signs before parking your vehicle. Check if any conditions or restrictions apply when you are parked.
- Stay updated: Local councils may change the rules and regulations frequently in some areas. You must stay updated on these to avoid unintentional offences.
In Summary
Croydon Council issues parking fines when motorists violate specific rules and regulations set by the council. Some of them include parking in a restricted area, overstaying the permitted parking duration, and driving on a bus lane.
A PCN fine costs between £60-£130 and you must pay this within the given timeframe to avoid late fees. Ignoring a Croydon Council notice can lead to court actions, hence you must take timely actions.
If you think the fine is unfair, you can appeal the decision. Ensure you have strong evidence to support your statement before appealing. Be alert and stay updated on the latest road regulations to avoid future fines.
If you’re facing a financial crisis and need assistance to pay off your fines and debts, fill out this online form. One of our debt advisors will contact you.
Key Points
- Croydon Council parking fine which is also known as Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued by the Croydon Council for violating specific road rules.
- Parking in a restricted area, overstaying the parking time limit, and driving in bus lanes or other restricted areas are some of the offences for which you’ll be fined.
- The PCN amount may vary between £60-£130 and it must be paid within 14 days to get a 50% discount. If you exceed 28 days, you’ll have to pay 50% more of the original fee.
- Never ignore a Croydon Council parking fine as the council can escalate the matter and take court action against you.
- You can pay the PCN fine online, by post, or by calling the Croydon Council contact number. You must mention the PCN number while making the payment.
- If you think the fine is charged unfairly, you can appeal the Croydon council’s decision by sending a letter along with the evidence.
- Be aware of the road rules and regulations and keep updated about them to avoid Croydon Council parking fines in the future.
FAQs
Yes, you’ll receive a 50% discount if you pay the fine within 14 days. You’ll have to pay 50% extra if you pay after 28 days.
PCN number is important when paying the fine as it helps the payment to be processed quickly. If you lose your Croydon parking fine notice, contact Croydon Council and retrieve your PCn number.
You can check the status of your Croydon council parking fine appeal by contacting the council directly or using their online system, if available. Ensure you have your PCN number and appeal reference handy.
Yes, using mobile parking apps like Ringo, Pay by Phone, and ParkMobile can help you avoid future Croydon parking fines. These apps allow you to manage your parking time and receive reminders to extend your parking session if needed.
Yes, if the signage was unclear or missing, you can use this as part of your evidence in your Croydon council parking fine appeal. Take photographs and gather any relevant information to support your claim that the fine was issued unfairly.
