Jeanie Davidson / 14 March 2025 / Categories: Opinions, Bodies & Groups, Government, Authorities and Justice

City Of Westminster Parking and PCN Protocol

I have just had two calm and very interesting discussions with the parking app people and subsequently Westminster City Council.

Where I live and shop has had a makeover. The high street in St John’s Wood has been refurbished and whether we like it or not all the parking has changed.

I found out a few weeks ago we now have designated loading bays on the High Street where you are not allowed to park but the parking app doesn’t warn you, so as I found out, I parked somewhere I’ve parked without issue before, paid and returned to find this lovely present in my windscreen.

My first action was to “Challenge The PCN” penalty charge notice online. This failed. I got a letter from Jonathan Rowing Head of Westminster Parking Operations, no contact details and a PO Box address in Sheffield (someone who doesn’t want to be contacted) saying basically pay the ticket.

Furious I got into the parking app people to at least get a refund for the parking I’d paid for. Even though it was only a few quid I couldn’t stomach the council moving the goal posts, fining me and having the parking fee as well. The parking app people said absolutely no parking refunds until the PCN was paid and then the paperwork process to get it, so complicated and convoluted no one would bother. Surprise.

But when I called Westminster City Council quietly and calmly I got to speak to a very helpful and well informed civil servant who told me to stay calm and go through the process.

He told me that all I had to do is sit tight and wait. After 28 days the opportunity to challenge formally window opens up. They don’t tell you this of course. The psychology is pay the £65 now or it’s going to be £130 in 14 days.

He also told me even if the formal challenge is denied there is still another level with the Corporation of London where if you believe something is truly unfair you can ask another team to look at things for you.

This morning I was about to give in and pay the fine as I am sure many other people do, now with this information I am waiting it out and making a formal challenge instead.

Please be advised it’s a timing thing. I tried to make the formal challenge to soon, so the website told me I was out of challenges and tried to get me to pay the PCN.

My advice, when it comes to council fines, everything is geared in their favour to encourage us just to pay and make things go away but based on what I have found out today, patience is a virtue.