Appeal a parking Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
Before you appeal
We are unable to accept most challenges by telephone - please view our policy on reasonable adjustments at the bottom of this page.
Please do not make payment at this stage as payment is acceptance of liability. By paying you are admitting that the ticket was right and you will not be able to appeal once you have paid.
You must challenge each case individually by inputting each unique PCN number.
To appeal, you will need:
- your vehicle registration number
- the PCN number listed on your parking ticket
How to appeal
Online
Use the Appeal parking PCN button below. You can also see photographic evidence relating to your PCN. You can include jpeg attachments.
You should not use this link to email us about your PCN if:
- you have received a response to your challenge
- you have received a Charge Certificate or Order for Recovery as by this time it will be too late to appeal
- the case has already been transferred to Enforcement Agents
You can now use the online appeals button to make Formal Representations (after the Notice to Owner has been served) but by doing so, we will accept this as your proper consent to respond by email.
Please always check your junk folder as our responses are sent using a ‘donotreply’ mailbox. You can add [email protected] to your safe senders list so that you don’t miss our response.
Write to us
Please provide as much information as you can to support your reasons why the PCN should be cancelled.
Your challenge may be rejected when the letter is received within 14 days of the date of the PCN issue. We will decide whether to re-offer the 14 day discount period. This is dependent upon the circumstances of the individual case.
While we endeavour to respond to all correspondence received within 14 days, this is not always possible. The discounted period is reset when a response is issued if it is not possible to respond within the 14 days. This is to ensure that the recipient of the PCN is not disadvantaged.
Please send your appeal to:
Traffic Enforcement Team
The Guildhall
St Giles Square
Northampton
NN1 1DE
We now accept representations via the online portal. But by doing so, we will accept this as your proper consent to respond by email. Please always check your junk folder as our responses are sent using a ‘donotreply’ mailbox. You can add [email protected] to your safe senders list so that you don’t miss our response.
There are specific grounds on which a representation can be made and details are given on the Notice to Owner.
Our Enforcement Protocol gives further details of representations and also mitigating circumstances.
When your representation is received, an Enforcement Investigation Officer who is employed by us will consider it. They will decide if there are grounds to cancel the PCN. You will be notified in writing of the decision.
This must be done under the statutory guidance within 56 days of receipt of the representations. Our aim is to respond within 21 days.
If your representation is rejected we will advise you on how to appeal to a Parking Adjudicator. If you decide to make a formal representation the full amount is payable.
The registered keeper of a vehicle, who has made a formal representation which has been rejected, has the right to appeal to a Parking Adjudicator.
A Parking Adjudicator is an experienced lawyer and independent of us. The decision of the Parking Adjudicator is final, and both you and we must adhere to the decision made.
You can choose whether to have your appeal dealt with by telephone, post, or attendance to a personal hearing with the Parking Adjudicator.
You can find out more about a Parking Adjudicator by visiting the Traffic Penalty Tribunal website.
Public authorities must take steps to remove the barriers faced due to disabilities when they carry out their work. The Equality Act 2010 calls this the duty to make reasonable adjustments.
We have a duty to make reasonable adjustments if:
- you are disadvantaged by something because of your disability
- it is reasonable to make the changes to remove the disadvantage
What is meant by 'reasonable'
Adjustments only have to be made if it's reasonable to do so. This depends on things like:
- your disability
- its practicality
- if the change you ask for would overcome the disadvantage you and other disabled people experience
- the size of the organisation
- the resources it would require
- the cost of making the changes
- if any changes have already been made
Penalty Charge Notices (parking PCN's)
We have a policy in place to request all challenges and representations in writing or via the online Appeals portal. However, we are aware that this is not always possible.
If our officers feel that additional assistance is required, we will make reasonable adjustments where possible to suit your needs.
Examples of these reasonable adjustments include but are not limited to:
- a mutually convenient telephone appointment where you can dictate your challenge/representation to an officer
- a pre-booked face-to-face meeting (in exceptional circumstances) at One Angel Square, Northampton where you can dictate your challenge or representation
- 3rd party liaison acting on your behalf to discuss and deal with the case as your representative
Refusing a request for reasonable adjustments
If we reject your request for an adjustment to be made, we will explain this decision to you. We will explain the factors that have been taken into account.
We may also suggest alternatives which will be given the same level of consideration as the original request.
Last updated 25 January 2024