Penalty Charge Notice - is it worth contesting?

cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

Right, so I have got a PCN through the post.
Think i may have a chance to contest this as there are certain circumstance that may help it in my favor!
This is a pretty controversial subject and I expect many of you to be horrified at my dangerous and inconsiderate driving!

This is the Google maps maps view of where the incident took place.

I have been recorded going through the middle of this gap, my reason being that a large transit van was stuck going through the small gap on the right.
I heard the van scrape / mount the kerb while going through and took it upon myself to go around.
I'm not sure how long the van driver then took to go through after I performed my disobedient act.

Worth an appeal? Or should I shut up and payup?

I know that this is going against the indicated signs, just don't want to feed the council fat cats.
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covent.gardens · World Clap Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Karma :

https://i60.tinypic.com/24v7fb8.png

You went through this?

You should have got off and walked it bro, everyone knows that.

covent.gardens · World Clap Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Karma :

Or was it this

https://i58.tinypic.com/54625d.png

Both very close to each other on that road you linked to. I guess it's the second pic? Again you should've got off and walked!

cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

It was this one!

https://i.imgur.com/BrQNUX1.jpg
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Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma

covent.gardens · World Clap Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Karma :

You hath contravened a keep left Sad

Good luck but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

I think the first appeal is basically free and they stop the clock re: the discount for an early payment, so it's got to be worth a try.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I'd get on to pepipoo. Not sure of the law in a case of an obstruction, but you may well have a decent case.

cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

defblade · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Karma :

You've contravened a Keep Left, which is naughty; but at the same time, the lined area in the middle has broken lines around it, which means the expectation is that you can enter that area when necessary.

On the whole though, probably less hassle to pay.
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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

Appeal but state what the reasons for disregarding the signage. If it was just because the wagon took 2 second longer than you would like then you are stuffed, if it is because the wagon was stuck or broken down then an appeal is apt.
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Taught2BCauti... · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Karma :

I would definitely appeal, but be careful how you word your defence.

I would say "From my viewpoint, I could see that the van had become trapped on the bollards either side of the gap and formed the opinion that the correct route through, would be blocked for some time. After checking that it was safe to do so, I proceeded carefully around the obstruction caused by the van, because a 'U' turn would have been unsafe due to traffic that had built-up behind me".

Or something like that.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

From what you've said, it sounds like you just couldn't be arsed waiting more than 2 seconds, because b-b-bad to the b-b-bone.

I'm not judging, just recommending that you get your story... straight. Recollect events in the most helpful light.

My honest view is that you're screwed though because the arrows are an absolute prohibition and there's only your word and a still picture, but you don't ask, you don't get.
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Raffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :

The OP was impatient and behaved recklessly, just to save himself a few precious seconds.
Who, in their right mind, would show such blatant disregard for the rules of the road and then come on here to bleat about being punished for doing so? Who, who, would do such a thing? Shifty

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BigShow · Spanner Monkey Joined: 01 May 2014 Karma :

Councils don't care about what you have to say. They just want your monies.

You committed a victimless crime, where no one suffered any kind of loss or inconvenience and therefore must be punished

The Disapproving Brit · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Karma :

barrkel · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :

If you try and claim obstruction, be sure to check the video that should be available to download online, once you enter the details of your offence - it should be on the letter.

(I got caught at a different one of these, in Islington, because of a very slow and apparently lost van was driving me up the walls, and then started crawling through a set of these bollards. But never actually stopped.)
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cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

Oh and the guys on Pepipoo dont think I have a leg to stand on!
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Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma

cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

https://i.imgur.com/yRtpnx7.gif
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phatstorage · Trackday Trickster Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Karma :

Absolute w@nkers for doing you on something like that but if rules be set, they needs a following or they ask you for money innit.

Proper shit though. Crying or Very sad

Should bin all that pointless crap and put in more bus lane cameras, people in cars are getting wise to using them when active.

DrSnoosnoo · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

cormac83 · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Karma :

Challenge sent!
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Suzuki GSX750 Inazuma

totalllama82 · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Jan 2011 Karma :

Oh dear....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L397TWLwrUU
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Use the pavement next time? Thinking

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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

MC · Banned Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Karma :

I've done the same thing a couple of times, once a similar situation (van stuck*) and another a car was parked (sort of) blocking the entrance.

Never received anything so can't help but I thought... ok hope common sense would prevail in these situations Praying

* in front of a copper as well
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