Lewisham PCN – Should you Pay or Appeal? 

Have you just found a Lewisham Penalty Charge Notice on your windscreen, and you’re unsure whether to pay it or appeal?

You’ve come to the right place for help. Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website for advice on fines and parking tickets.

In this clear and simple guide, we’ll explain:

• What a Lewisham Penalty Charge Notice is.
• If you need to pay a Lewisham Penalty Charge Notice.
• How to appeal a Lewisham Penalty Charge Notice.
• Ways to avoid getting a Penalty Charge Notice in Lewisham.
• What could happen if you don’t pay the charge.

In 2021, Churchill Motor Insurance reported an 8% increase in penalty charge notices in Britain, with over 5.2 million issued.¹ So it’s quite common to be concerned about PCNs.

But there’s no need to worry. We have lots of useful tips and examples to help you. From understanding road signs to following the right appeal process, we’ll guide you through it all.

Let’s get started.

In a Nutshell

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is a fine issued by a local council for illegal parking offences or some driving offences, such as turning right when not permitted.

They can also be issued by transport authorities for not paying road tolls on time. 

A Lewisham PCN is a PCN that has been issued by Lewisham Council for parking offences or some driving offences.

They can only issue these fines for offences within the Lewisham council area. 

Can you avoid paying it?

You should not ignore a PCN issued by Lewisham Council or any other local authority.

However, you might be able to avoid paying your PCN if you can prove that it shouldn’t have been issued.

Learn more about challenging your Lewisham Council Penalty Charge Notice later in this guide. 

Can you challenge a fine?

You are allowed to challenge any PCN issued to you by Lewisham Council within the first 28 days.

For a Lewisham Council Penalty Charge Notice appeal to be successful, you will need good evidence.

Common Defences

Understanding the defences against PCNs is crucial, as it helps you avoid unjust penalties, protect your finances, ensure fair treatment, and maintain peace of mind.

There are a few common PCN defences that you can use if you decide to appeal your ticket.

Common PCN Defence	Explanation
You were parked correctly	By law, your ticket should be cancelled if you haven’t broken any parking laws.
Unclear, incorrect, or missing signage	It is a legal requirement that all parking areas or roads with parking restrictions have clear road markings or signage. You also have a good defence if your ticket was sent in the post, but there were no signs warning of CCTV or ANPR systems when you parked.
You had no way to pay	You can appeal your ticket if you can prove that the only available ticket machine was broken or damaged. You also won’t win your appeal if there is a sign telling you not to park if there is no way of paying.
It wasn’t you who committed the parking infraction	The ticket should be cancelled if you didn’t commit the parking infraction as someone else was driving your car.
You couldn’t get back to your car	People with some disabilities or small children are protected from discrimination by the 2010 Equality Act. Struggling to get back to your car could be legitimate grounds for appeal.
Your car had broken down	If you got a ticket whilst waiting for your car to be towed or fixed, you have strong grounds for appeal. The ticket issuer should have understood that you physically couldn’t move it.
You were only just out of time	Late by just 5 or 10 minutes? You can appeal as you are entitled to a ‘grace period’ after your parking time runs out.

Understanding signs and road markings

Understanding signs and road markings in Lewisham should reduce the risk of getting a Penalty Charge Notice.

If you aren’t sure whether to park on not, you should err on the side of caution, and not park.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

How do I dispute?

The process to appeal a PCN issued by Lewisham Council differs depending on how you received the PCN. 

If you found the PCN on your vehicle, you must make an informal appeal first. And if it was served to you in the post, you must start with a formal appeal.

If an informal appeal is rejected, you can progress to a formal appeal. 

How can you pay them?

You can pay your Lewisham PCN online, or by calling 020 8787 5397, or by cheque.

You’ll need to know your car registration number and PCN number to pay. 

Pay your Lewisham PCN online by clicking here. 

Phone number to pay PCN	020 8787 5397
Website to pay PCN	Pay your Lewisham PCN
PCN Payments	PO BOX 209, LOWTON WAY, HELLABY, S98 1ND
Website	https://lewisham.gov.uk/

If you receive a Lewisham Council Penalty Charge Notice, you can pay a reduced fine if you make the payment within the first 14 days of receiving it.

Or within 21 days if you received your PCN in the post.

The reduced fine is 50% less than the original fine. 

How much is a fine in London?

A PCN fine in London will cost between £80 and £130, depending on the seriousness of the parking offence.

Council parking ticket fines outside of London are usually cheaper. 

Should I make a payment or challenge it?

So, should you pay or appeal against a Lewisham PCN? 

As I see it, there is no single answer to this question and it will depend on the circumstances of what happened.

If you’re confident that you’ll win your appeal because you have a good excuse and solid evidence, an appeal may be an option. 

But keep in mind that paying your Lewisham PCN within 14 (or 21 days if received in the post) will secure you a 50% reduction on the fine.

So it may be worth paying the lower fine quickly if you think your appeal evidence isn’t strong enough. 

Appeal rejected – what now?

If Lewisham Council rejects your formal PCN appeal but you still believe you’re in the right, you can escalate the appeal.

You can send the appeal to an independent tribunal which will have the final say. 

The tribunal you must use is decided on location. All PCNs that were issued within London are escalated to the London Tribunals.

Can it be refunded?

Your Penalty Charge Notice payment will not be refunded.

Once you pay the fine, you’ve accepted liability and can no longer appeal it. 

References

1. Direct Line Group — Parking Fines Statistics