Lewisham PCN: Payment, Challenges and Appeals

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?

Follow the deadline on the PCN or later notice. Lewisham accepts informal parking challenges and formal representations at the relevant stage; do not assume one deadline fits every notice type.

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.

Possible grounds depend on the ticket type, jurisdiction and evidence. For a council PCN, check the statutory grounds and the notice’s deadlines.

Point to check	How it may affect a council PCN
No contravention	Provide evidence that the restriction was not breached or a relevant exemption applied.
Signs and markings	Show why the applicable restriction was not adequately conveyed. Missing CCTV/ANPR warning signs alone do not automatically invalidate a PCN.
Payment difficulty	Keep evidence of faulty equipment and available alternatives. A broken machine does not automatically permit free parking.
Ownership or vehicle identity	For civil council PCNs, the owner is normally liable even if someone else drove. A genuine ownership change, vehicle taken without consent or qualifying hire arrangement may be relevant.
Disability or mitigating circumstances	Explain relevant disability needs and supporting evidence; reasonable-adjustment duties may apply. Having children does not itself create an automatic exemption.
Breakdown	Provide contemporaneous evidence and explain why the vehicle could not be moved; the legal exemption or discretion depends on the facts.
Grace period	In England, a 10-minute grace period applies after permitted parking ends in qualifying designated parking places. It does not apply to every restriction or unlawful parking. Private parking has different rules.

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.

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How do I dispute?

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

For an on-street council parking PCN, you can normally make an informal challenge before a Notice to Owner is served. An informal challenge is not a mandatory prerequisite for later formal representations. A postal PCN may invite formal representations from the outset.

Formal representations are normally due within 28 days of service of the relevant Notice to Owner or postal PCN. Follow the document’s instructions and deadline; there is no universal day-29-to-day-56 window measured from the original PCN.

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.

Some postal parking PCNs allow a 21-day discount, but bus lane and moving-traffic notices can have different periods. Check the discount date on your notice.

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

How much is a fine in London?

London borough parking charges are now £160 or £110 in Band A and £140 or £90 in Band B, before discount. Bus lane and moving-traffic penalties are generally £160. Check the location and contravention on your notice; Lewisham publishes the current bands.

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. 

Lewisham says it places a parking PCN on hold if an informal challenge is received within the 14-day discount period and re-offers the discount if that challenge is unsuccessful. Read its challenge policy and the notice before deciding.

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?

Payment normally closes the standard PCN challenge process. Refunds are not a routine appeal route, but a blanket claim that an incorrect payment can never be refunded is too broad.

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

References

1. Direct Line Group — Parking Fines Statistics