Short-Term Permits for Replacement Vehicles Ineffective in Preventing Fines from Newham Council
I have received 19 penalty charge notices (PCNs) from Newham council for entering a restricted healthy school streets zone, despite possessing a blue badge access permit to drop off and pick up my children from school.
The issue began after I was involved in a car accident. My insurance company provided me with three different courtesy cars sequentially while my own vehicle was being repaired. Consequently, I obtained temporary permits for each of these replacement vehicles so I could continue to drive into the zone. Due to my disability, I rely heavily on my car.
Since then, I’ve been receiving PCNs on a weekly basis, and more continue to arrive even as I’m in the process of appealing the earlier ones.
The total amount I’m facing in fines is £3,000, which has been a significant source of stress. The council’s rigid and unsympathetic handling of the situation has only exacerbated my difficulties.
IL, London
Healthy school streets are an admirable policy implemented by several boroughs in London, designed to limit traffic in specific zones during school opening and closing times. It’s essential, however, to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to access these areas, and blue badge holders are typically granted permits for this purpose.
You appropriately applied for temporary permits for each courtesy car following your accident. However, due to the rapid succession with which your insurer replaced the vehicles, there appears to have been a delay in one of the permit renewals.
As you were driving into the zone twice daily, five days a week, this resulted in a multitude of PCNs being issued.
I believe Newham council should have recognized your status as a registered blue badge holder and dismissed the charges when you first contested them. Unfortunately, your initial appeals were denied.
It was only after the situation was brought to light and questioned that the council reevaluated its stance. “Considering the circumstances, and to resolve this matter justly, the council has decided to annul all PCNs issued in this instance,” a spokesperson stated. “We are also taking steps to improve our processes regarding temporary permits to minimize the likelihood of similar issues happening in the future.”
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