Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Just got a £65 fine for entering one of these in Crouch End that I wasn't aware of - is there a map anywhere that shows the location of all the school streets in Haringey? The council website requires you to first know where each school is, and then download details of eachs, which makes it unnecessarily difficult to keep in mind where they are.

While driving I often find the signs very hard to spot, particularly if turning in from a main road, as they are above you, while your eyes are on the road ahead. They must be making a fortune out of these!

I should say that I don't at all object to the implementation of traffic restrictions around schools, but it would be good to know in advance where they are!

Views: 875

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I know, the signs can be hard to find in the jumble and proliferation of other signs and street furniture. I got caught be a camera operated road closure in Islington as I did not spot the signs and was not as aware of how efficiently they use street closures.

I am now more aware, but it might help if we could find a better way of making motorists aware. I too am fairly supportive.

Object it as it's your first time and you didn't realise, they are known to sometimes be lenient with new spots.

I've seen one on Barret Ave in N22 but I missed it several times. Would be easy to miss these signs until you get a PCN. As previously mentioned, contest it. 

I think it's probably pointless to contest it - the one in Elmfield avenue has been contested many times but only one case allowed and they had to take it to court.

i'm contesting this exact thing am at tribunal 12th may furnival street.

the adjudicator agreed today that my pcn should be cancelled. it is now up to haringey parking to accept or go further and action bailiffs. this action might entail my credit rating being cancelled in the outer real world.

Is there a written judgement that you can share, James?

I really cant believe these people who think that their ability to drive down a road full of school children at drop off is more important than those kids' right to get to the school gates in safety. If I'd been caught out by failing to spot a huge pair of road signs at the start of the road and all the local press and social media I'd kick myself and put it down to experience and keep a closer eye on my surroundings in future. But no they insist on wasting public money and resources to save themselves from their own inattention. 

Maybe best not to judge too quickly. We don't know the circumstances of the situation, nor anything of James's personal circumstances. Fines are all well and good if they are fairly levied, but nonetheless can cause financial hardship to some people.  Apparently the adjudicator decided that this fine wasn't fairly levied: I'm assuming he thought that the signs weren't evident enough. So, perhaps we should give James the benefit of the doubt on this one. 

Perhaps that may be correct for James but it cant possibly be the case for the many people on the CE Facebook groups who've been unable to see/ understand the signs even though they accord with all the legal requirements for road signage and the Highway Code and have been obvious to nearly all locals for months now. Most of those who have complained publicly on social media have also complained about the concept of school streets and any form of traffic calming as well so I'm afraid my stores of benefit of the doubt have been severely depleted. 

It is indeed possible that some of those people are simply being selfish. It's difficult to mount any reasonable argument against school streets.  

Hugh see here.

An independent tribunal for environment, parking and traffic penalty appealsEnvironment and Traffic Adjudicators are supported by London Tribunals, a service provided by London CouncilsCalls to London Tribunals may be recorded

Adjudicator's Reasons

The Appellant is appealing a Penalty Charge Notice issued in respect of failing to comply with the restriction on vehicles entering a pedestrian zone at the above location.

The matter is listed for a personal hearing and the Appellant has attended and given evidence.

The Enforcement Authority relies on CCTV footage of the incident, together with a copy of the PCN, relevant Traffic Management Order and location photographs.

The Appellant contends that he spoke to a representative of the EA who told him that he was entitled to drive into the restricted street.

I have carefully considered all the evidence in this matter.The vehicle drove into a street which was subject to a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone only restriction, save for specified permit holders. I am satisfied that the relevant signage was sufficiently clear and I note that there is also an advanced warning sign which the Appellant would have driven past.

At the relevant time, the Appellant did not have a specified permit. He was however in possession of a valid blue badge and was in the process of applying for the relevant permit. He tells me that he has to have very frequent physiotherapy due to suffering from cancer for a number of years, and needs this physiotherapy to remain mobile.

He was due to visit a new physiotherapist on the day in question, who practised from Haslemere Road, and he was aware that the road was restricted. He tells me that therefore, prior to attending the physiotherapy, he telephoned Haringey and asked for advice.

He contends that he was told that as long as he had a blue badge and had good reason to go into Haslemere Road, he would be eligible to drive into it despite the restriction. He therefore relied upon this information and attended his physiotherapy appointment, thereby incurring the PCN.

It is incumbent upon drivers to observe and comply with relevant signage. However, I accept the Appellant's evidence that he was conscientious in double-checking the implications of the signage prior to going to Haslemere Road and I further accept that a Haringey employee told him that his blue badge would entitle him to drive into the road for the purpose of attending his medical appointment, but prior to obtaining a permit. This was of course wholly wrong information.

However, I find that the Appellant was entitled to rely upon the information which was given to him by a council representative, and upon which he relied in good faith. On that basis I allow this appeal. This is a fact-specific decision and does not affect the enforceability of the signage.

RSS

Advertising

© 2024   Created by Hugh.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service