How to Appeal Bromley Parking Fine – Should You Pay?

Have you got a parking fine from Bromley Council? Are you unsure whether to pay or not? This is a common worry. Each month, over 32,000 people visit this site seeking advice on parking tickets and fines.

It can seem tricky, but don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll help you understand:

•  Why you might get a parking fine in Bromley
•  The cost of a penalty charge notice in London
•  The benefits of paying a parking fine quickly
•  How to challenge a parking fine from Bromley Council
•  The process for appealing a Bromley parking fine

Our team knows a lot about these matters; some of us have been in the same boat. We’re here to help you understand how to handle your Bromley parking fine.

Let’s dive in!

Why would you get a Bromley parking fine?

Bromley Council, the police, or another authority issue tickets when you commit some sort of parking or driving offence. You’d typically get a PCN for relatively minor violations.

This includes when you:

• Park illegally
• Fail to pay a parking fee
• Drive in a bus lane when it’s not allowed
• Overstay in a short-term car park
• Turning in right or left when it’s not permitted

Unlike parking tickets you’d get on private land, say a Tesco car park, a penalty charge is enforceable under UK law.

Now, you could find a Bromley parking ticket on your car’s windscreen. Or a traffic warden could hand the fine to you in person. That said, if an offence is caught on camera, the PCN could drop through your letterbox.

Is it worth paying a Bromley parking ticket straight away?

It might be worth considering paying a Bromley parking ticket as soon as you get it. The council discounts the amount when you pay the fine within two weeks.

In short, if the original PCN is £80, you’d pay £40!

Should you challenge a Bromley parking fine?

You could challenge a Bromley parking fine when you think it’s unjustified. But don’t pay the fine before you decide what to do because if you do, you acknowledge liability!

You can contest the penalty charge in the following ways:

• File a challenge or formal representation online by visiting the council’s website
• Challenge or make a formal representation in writing 

Moreover, when you contest the PCN online, there’s a drop-down list of reasons you think the council should cancel the fine. There’s also information on what evidence you need to provide.

Are there any valid excuses for challenging a Bromley parking fine?

Yes, there are several valid excuses for challenging a Bromley parking fine. For instance, you could contest the PCN because:

• You couldn’t pay because the payment machine was out of order
• An emergency prevented you from getting back to your vehicle on time
• You did not commit a parking or driving violation and can prove it
• The PCN arrived at the post more than 14 days after the alleged offence was said to have occurred
• The penalty charge was issued when you did not own the vehicle

You’ll be asked to provide evidence to support an appeal, whatever excuse you use! Moreover, the council should consider your challenge and stop further action until a decision is made.

So, what’s the appeal process against a Bromley parking fine?

The appeal process differs depending on how a PCN is issued. For instance:

• Did a civil enforcement officer (traffic warden) give you the ticket in person?
• Did you commit a bus lane violation, and the PCN came in the post?
• Was the offence caught on CCTV, and did the PCN arrive in the post?

In the first two instances, you can challenge the PCN. But you’d have to pay a formal representation for the third instance.

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What happens after you appeal a Bromley parking fine?

Once the council receives your appeal or formal representation, everything is put on hold. But once Bromley Council decides, things move forward again. The penalty charge is cancelled if the council accepts your appeal.

But if the council rejects your appeal or formal representation, you have two choices. Pay the fine or take the matter further, which is to an independent adjudicator. In this case, it’s the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ETA).

If the adjudicator upholds your appeal, Bromley Council must cancel the PCN. If the adjudicator sides on the part of the council, you must pay the penalty. Which at this stage has increased by 50%!

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What happens when you can’t pay a Bromley parking fine?

If your finances are such that you can’t afford to pay a Bromley parking fine, get in touch with the council and let them know. The council could offer a solution and provide information on any options to clear the amount owed.

Should you ignore a Bromley parking fine?

Things get expensive when you ignore a Bromley parking fine. You’ll get a Charge Certificate if you don’t pay the fine within 28 days. Moreover, it means you can no longer challenge the fine, which has just increased by 50%!

A court order is issued against you when you continue to ignore things. So, you’re now legally liable for the amount owed. Enforcement agents (bailiffs) get involved, which is never a pleasant experience!