Forum Topic

Penalty Charge Cobbold Road

I have just received a PCN from Hammersmith & Fulham Council from 3rd June. I turned left into Cobbold from Gayford Road. The sign to say it is a pedestrian and cycle Zone at certain times is not clearly visible from Gayford Road as it faces Cobbold Road - you can see it sideways on.Has anyone had any luck in appealing on these grounds?

Zareena Beavan-Vaughan ● 8d7 Comments

I agree that there is a certain logic in constructing hard barriers. No one can argue that they misunderstood a physical barrier. However, a physical barrier is by definition much less flexible than automated controls, enforced by cameras, that can be quickly adapted to reflect changes to the wider network e.g. new road layouts, temporary roadworks, burst water mains, bridge closures and temporary increases in traffic. There is also a need for consistency that LBH does not seem to understand. There is now a physical barrier blocking access to the A4 from Harvard Hill South (but not from the A4 to Harvard Hill South). However just a few hundred metres away there are no such physical barriers blocking access to the A4 from Eastbourne Road, Milnethorpe Road and Park Road South. LBH claimed that there was rat running on the roads leading to Harvard Hill. However traffic surveys showed that 10% of the traffic on Harvard Hill was commercial (i.e.vans and traffic). It would have been straightforward to ban such vehicles from the area and free up access to the A4 for local residents. Residents are now faced with a long detour  on congested residential streets. As an alternative using camera number plate recognition software would allow access by residents but not "rat runners" from outside the area. One is left with the suspicion that LBH traffic officers were just forcing through the implementation of a traffic barrier because they had funding from TfL and wanted a "quick win". When consulted local residents who responded were equally divided on whether or not they wanted a physical barrier - BUT they were not offered the option of a scheme that controlled access by camera. Weirdly camera controlled schemes were subsequently installed across the same ward.

Sam Hearn ● 4d

To be fair to LBHF I’ve seen evidence of them issuing warning notices after cameras became active when they could legitimately issued PCNs. Just for the first contravention in the case I’ve seen. That’s not the action of a council hell bent on extracting every last bit of revenue.The problem with operating the barriers manually is that the operators need to be paid.A better solution would be to have flashing lights that come on the same time as the restrictions come active.

Andrew Jones ● 5d

There’s a fairly long thread on nextdoor about this topic, that might be of interest to the OP

David Turner ● 5d

What was wrong with the physical barriers I gather they had here before?  At least they clearly communicated their intention!  Playing games with open roads, obscure signs and hidden cameras just adds to the confusion and undermines the promised safety features - while supplementing the Council's income.

Peter Evans ● 6d

If you have the time to spare, then appeal.The visibility of the signs when coming out of Gayford Road and turning left is by far the worst of all the signage leading up to the school zone.When driving along Cobbold Road from either direction the signs are clearly visible (and you have warning signs beforehand telling you there is a restriction ahead). Coming from Stronsa Road there is also an advance warning sign ahead of the prohibition sign.If you are coming from Hartswood and turning right, while  there are no advance warning signs, because you are positioned on the left hand side of the road and will be turning right, the prohibition signs are far easier to see then they are when you are coming from Gayford Road. A similar situation exists (in terms of obviousness and visibility of signage) if turning right from Becklow.From Gayford road however, you are turning left and already on the left ( and if there is a car coming in your direction you might be positioned very far to the left. The signs are sideways on as you start coming close to them, and by the time you get close enough to have a clear line of sight to the front of the signs, you need to be in an open top car, because your car roof gets in the way of being able to see the sign, unless you really crane your neck forward.I knew the signs were there so I was looking out for them to see how visble and easy to read they were, and having been just now, I don't think they are easy to read.If you can go there with a friend to take some video footage as you go along Gayford Road and turn left into Cobbold Road, that might be sufficient evidence to launch a worthwhile appeal.H&F were issuing warnings when the cameras first came live, it might be worth pointing this out, and suggesting that the marginal signage would merit a warning rather than a fine.Good luck if you choose to go down this route.Obviously don't do it between 08:00-09:30 or 14:30-16:00!

Andrew Jones ● 6d

If you appeal any of these PCNs, remember you need to be patient. The first appeal is probably just turned down by Serco or whichever processing organisation the Council uses. Then a real person at the Council might look at it at your 2nd or 3rd email. But it probably needs an appeal to the independent adjudicator who will be more evenhanded. And then it sets a precedent. For many others who will be caught. I remember once getting a parking ticket from H & F.  Signs damaged and pointing the wrong way which were the cause.  Still had to go all the way to the Adjudicator.  And in the meantime  H&F didn’t fix the signs no doubt catching others.

Jackie Elton ● 7d

Definitely appeal! I have done the same for 2 tickets received last month. Waiting to hear. The signage is unreadable/unnoticeable and placed way too high.

Lucy Hayes ● 7d