Should I Pay or Appeal my Tunbridge Wells PCN?

Have you received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from Tunbridge Wells Council? Don’t worry. We help more than 32,000 people each month understand tickets and fines.

In this article, we’ll help you understand:

• Why you might get a Tunbridge Wells PCN.
• What happens if the council says no to your appeal.
• How you can appeal a PCN and possibly beat your ticket.
• The steps to pay a Tunbridge Wells PCN.
• What to do if you can’t afford to pay a PCN.

We know getting a PCN can be scary. But, with our advice, you can make the best choice for your situation. We’ve dealt with many cases just like yours, so we understand how you feel. Let’s dive in and discuss your options.

Why would I get a Tunbridge Wells PCN?

You could get a Tunbridge Wells PCN for a variety of reasons. A local authority takes illegal parking on public land seriously and is usually quick to issue fines.

I’ve listed just some of the reasons why you’d get a Penalty Charge Notice in Tunbridge Wells below:

• You didn’t pay to park
• You committed a minor traffic offence
• You parked illegally 
• You overstayed the amount of time you paid for
• You left your vehicle in a restricted zone
• You parked in a bay reserved for Blue Badge holders but didn’t display a badge
• You left your vehicle in a ‘permits only’ zone but didn’t have a valid permit

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Should I pay a Penalty Charge Notice straight away?

Whether you pay PCN Tunbridge Wells fines immediately depends on several things.

However, it’s essential to understand that if you pay the fine immediately, you lose the chance to challenge the PCN.

That said, if you feel the penalty charge was issued correctly, you may want to consider settling things early.

You only have to pay half the amount when you pay a Penalty Charge Notice within 14 days.

It could be an incentive to settle the fine and move on.

How do I pay a Tunbridge Wells PCN?

I’ve listed the various ways you can pay a Tunbridge Wells PCN in the table below.

It’s worth noting that you cannot pay for a Tunbridge Wells Gov PCN by post.

Can I file a Tunbridge Wells PCN appeal?

Yes. Anyone who feels a fine is unfair or incorrect can file a Tunbridge Wells PCN appeal.

For example, if the Penalty Charge Notice arrived more than 14 days after an alleged offence, you could have grounds to appeal the fine.

However, making an appeal against a Penalty Charge Notice means filing an informal appeal to the council first.

Plus, you must file an informal appeal within 14 days.

You’ll receive a Notice of Rejection if the local authority rejects your appeal. But you can escalate your appeal by filing what’s known as ‘representation’.

It’s a formal appeal against the charge, which London Tribunals will assess.

In my experience, writing a solid appeal letter that contains valid grounds for having the charge cancelled stands a better chance of having an appeal upheld.

How do I appeal a Tunbridge Wells PCN?

There are several ways to appeal a Tunbridge Wells PCN, which I’ve included in the table below.

You must provide valid grounds to appeal a Tunbridge Wells PCN together with the following information:

• The Penalty Charge Notice reference number
• Your vehicle registration number (VRN)

Check out what happened to one motorist who received an unfair Penalty Charge Notice.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

What happens if the council rejects my appeal?

The council will send you a Notice of Rejection when they don’t accept your reason for having a PCN cancelled.

You have the option to pay the fine or to take the matter further.

At this stage, you could escalate your appeal to London Tribunals by filing a representation to have the PCN cancelled.

The tribunal will assess your appeal and decide whether to accept or reject your representation.

It’s worth noting the tribunal’s decision is final. If they uphold your appeal, the council cancels the charge.

If not, you must pay the charge.

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Can I Ignore a Tunbridge Wells PCN?

It’s never a good idea to ignore a Penalty Charge Notice issued by a local authority.

First, the problem will not disappear; things get more expensive, time-consuming and complicated if you do.

Second, the amount you pay will increase by 50% when you miss the 28-day deadline to pay when a Charge Certificate is issued.

Third, the council will not hesitate to start legal proceedings to recover the amount you owe.

Once a debt is registered against you in a County Court, the authority can use enforcement agents (bailiffs) to contact you.

You could get a CCJ registered against you which stays on your credit file for six years if you don’t settle it within 30 days.

You will have to pay the following on top of the full charge when this happens:

• Court costs
• Bailiff fees

I can’t afford to pay a PCN. What should I do?

You should contact the council if you can’t afford to pay a Tunbridge Wells PCN because you’re struggling with your finances.

It’s essential to remain in touch with the issuer.

Next, I suggest you contact one of the UK’s leading charities that provide free debt advice.

Dealing with the problem head-on is far easier and less stressful than dealing with enforcement agents.

How do I contact Tunbridge Wells Borough Council?

I’ve listed ways you can contact Tunbridge Wells Council in the table below.