Penalty Charge Notice Lewisham

[deanrufleg]

My own fault, let me have it. Call me a nob, look at where I’m going, pay attention to signs..
I’ve been using Bellingham Road for like the past 30 odd years. There’s a fencing supplier literally the next road away, Ardoch Road/Catford.
So of course I’ve got a £65 PCN for going up the road when it’s pedestrianised at certain times of the day. Of course, familiarity etc, I’ve driven up it. Google maps shows no signs there, a few weeks back I was in same suppliers, same route and didn’t get a PCN, so Christ knows how long that’s been there? Maybe I went there at the right time…
Anyway, genuine, they accept payment over the phone or credit card. My CC’s are ramped to the hilt, fully overdrawn. I’ve got cash I can pay it with but they’ll no doubt refuse,,even though it’s legal tender. It suits their terms and condition, well it don’t suit mine. Can’t pay it on the bank, as it’ll get swallowed up.
Genuine, how can I pay? I don’t get on with family, have few friends, who also struggling financially, and My Mrs refuses to have anything to do with my finances. Equally it’s my PCN, and my issue, nothing to do with anyone else.
I assume if I go to Lewisham town hall with my £65 notes with Charles’ head on, they’ll refuse to accept it. I guess I can insist they write/send me an email stating they are refusing to accept my offer of payment? Otherwise a stand-off it is.
Could really do with this stress and extra financial pressure, certainly with my high blood pressure and heart condition…

[carpet_9000]

Sounds like you are in serious debt. Try and explain this to the council. Speak to your bank and look into debt management. The interest that you'll be paying on a credit card will be extortionate, you can often get a loan that will consolidate all your debt at fixed affordable monthly payments.

I know that doesn't address your immediate concern but hopefully the council will understand and you can agree a deadline to pay by.

[Gericho]

Go online and write an appeal. In the appeal don't accept liability of any kind but do say that you are willing to settle the dispute with cash. Keep a record of your appeal. If it goes to court, you can prove you took all reasonable steps to make payment and it will get thrown out.

[sherman]

I would assume you can pay a fine at the court lije any other court fine.
They will take cash.

[lancslad58]

deanrufleg said:

My own fault, let me have it. Call me a nob, look at where I’m going, pay attention to signs..
I’ve been using Bellingham Road for like the past 30 odd years. There’s a fencing supplier literally the next road away, Ardoch Road/Catford.
So of course I’ve got a £65 PCN for going up the road when it’s pedestrianised at certain times of the day. Of course, familiarity etc, I’ve driven up it. Google maps shows no signs there, a few weeks back I was in same suppliers, same route and didn’t get a PCN, so Christ knows how long that’s been there? Maybe I went there at the right time…
Anyway, genuine, they accept payment over the phone or credit card. My CC’s are ramped to the hilt, fully overdrawn. I’ve got cash I can pay it with but they’ll no doubt refuse,,even though it’s legal tender. It suits their terms and condition, well it don’t suit mine. Can’t pay it on the bank, as it’ll get swallowed up.
Genuine, how can I pay? I don’t get on with family, have few friends, who also struggling financially, and My Mrs refuses to have anything to do with my finances. Equally it’s my PCN, and my issue, nothing to do with anyone else.
I assume if I go to Lewisham town hall with my £65 notes with Charles’ head on, they’ll refuse to accept it. I guess I can insist they write/send me an email stating they are refusing to accept my offer of payment? Otherwise a stand-off it is.
Could really do with this stress and extra financial pressure, certainly with my high blood pressure and heart condition…

Is this the road you’re talking about? I’d hate to live their if I couldn’t get my car out because it’s the wrong time of day.

[Riley Blue]

What you like to hear? That one of us will pay your PCN with their credit card and you'll send them £65 in used fivers?

[vikingaero]

Check online to see if you can pay it in the Council offices. Some Councils still accept payments at their offices.

And you bank account. Get another basic current account with another bank to put money in - one with a debit card attached to it.

[languagetimothy]

Riley Blue said:

What you like to hear? That one of us will pay your PCN with their credit card and you'll send them £65 in used fivers?

Or do you have a friend who can pay it online / card once you give them the cash?

Edit…just read properly (it’s early I’m having my coffee)… really… no one?

Edited by languagetimothy on Tuesday 23 July 08:34

[freedman]

Phone them, and ask

020 8787 5397

Nothing on the website suggest payment in person is possible, but that doesn't mean it isn't

[deanrufleg]

That’s the place. Extends round into Torridon Road as well. The problem is, they bring these cash grabs in to steal money, but on the pretext of it being better for emissions. That puts about2 miles extra on the journey having to head towards Bromley, through Downham estate towards Grove Park, and round the back.That or sit in traffic and heads Catford one way system. Makes sense, pumping out more emissions, burning more fuel, taking more time, costing more money…

lancslad58 said:

Is this the road you’re talking about? I’d hate to live their if I couldn’t get my car out because it’s the wrong time of day.

[deanrufleg]

I’m just being pedantic, it’s nothing to do with anyone else but me, but Lewisham, and any other council, just stick up a camera, send out a fine, and expect you to phone up an automated line, because it’s suits them. In thes days days of inclusivity for all, and non discrimination, they clearly are if they don’t supply a facility for accepting current legal tender….

languagetimothy said:

Or do you have a friend who can pay it online / card once you give them the cash?

Edit…just read properly (it’s early I’m having my coffee)… really… no one?

Edited by languagetimothy on Tuesday 23 July 08:34

[Tony1963]

Christ almighty… my life is so different to yours, OP.

I think once you’ve sorted how to pay this charge, you might need to find someone to help out with the rest of your life’s ‘challenges’.
To me, you appear to be living in the turmoil of hell. I wouldn’t know where to start with improving things, but one or two proper friends would be a good start, and not on the basis of helping out financially when needed!

Good advice above about consolidating all your debt into one loan that you can afford. Cut up the credit cards, and try to live within your means. Otherwise… your situation stands a very real chance of only deteriorating all the way to your old age.

[RGG]

OP

Have a look at this

Pre Paid cards

I''ve not read it in detail but it might be a way forward

https://www.money.co.uk/prepaid-cards/pm-1?track=8...

[BertBert]

Try the CAB OP. They can help people get out of financial pickles.

Mind you the "PH cynic" part of me thinks that you are just objecting to not being able to pay in cash, a point of principle rather than the tale of woe. So if I have misjudged - apologies, get to the CAB pronto.

[untakenname]

Sadly most of London now have these timed no go zones, they simply move the issue from where the school is to the adjacent roads and they don't make allowances for tradesmen or even deliveries.

As a rule of thumb it's usually enforced around 8-9am and 3-4pm.

https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/parking/schools...

[deanrufleg]

It was a request about an about advice a PCN and payment. Don’t worry about debt. That’s been managed for years. People are debt for thousands a month on a mortgage, or a Range Rover,, or SUV quite how they sleep at night…

Just called the number for Lewisham PCN’s. Very helpful lady … take card over the phone or online. No cash. They have no office, no depot, no shop - no customer facing facility. She can’t transfer any calls, so can’t speak to anyone more senior. I asked if she works in a call centre of from sitting on her sofa working from home. The whole thing is a farce…..

I wonder if I can track a traffic warden in Lewisham, give them £65 cash, and they pay over the phone for me? I’ll even call them my new friend….
Probably not, so why do they think they can coerce me…..

[freedman]

deanrufleg said:

That’s the place. Extends round into Torridon Road as well. The problem is, they bring these cash grabs in to steal money, but on the pretext of it being better for emissions. That puts about2 miles extra on the journey having to head towards Bromley, through Downham estate towards Grove Park, and round the back.That or sit in traffic and heads Catford one way system. Makes sense, pumping out more emissions, burning more fuel, taking more time, costing more money…

lancslad58 said:

Is this the road you’re talking about? I’d hate to live their if I couldn’t get my car out because it’s the wrong time of day.

This one isnt about emissions, its restricted because its designated as a school street between 0800-0915 & 1430-1600 I believe

Edited by freedman on Tuesday 23 July 10:12

[J2daG1990]

I have a genuine answer to your payment question:

Download Revolut on your mobile
Create and add a Virtual Card
Top up the virtual card with the cash at a approved retailer - https://help.revolut.com/help/adding-money/cash-de...
Pay the fine with the virtual card details

Job done

Then follow the advice above about consolidation to sort out the other finance problems. Being fully maxed out on multiple CCs and only paying off the interest is not the same situation as someone paying off a mortgage or a car.

Edited by J2daG1990 on Tuesday 23 July 10:15

[deanrufleg]

It’ll be alright in the end, if it’s not alright, it’s not the end….

Tony1963 said:

Christ almighty… my life is so different to yours, OP.

I think once you’ve sorted how to pay this charge, you might need to find someone to help out with the rest of your life’s ‘challenges’.
To me, you appear to be living in the turmoil of hell. I wouldn’t know where to start with improving things, but one or two proper friends would be a good start, and not on the basis of helping out financially when needed!

Good advice above about consolidating all your debt into one loan that you can afford. Cut up the credit cards, and try to live within your means. Otherwise… your situation stands a very real chance of only deteriorating all the way to your old age.

[deanrufleg]

A few k on a couple of cards is no sweat, however a big monthly mortgage/ rent/ car finance or loan for a motor would have me sweating….

J2daG1990 said:

I have a genuine answer to your payment question:

Download Revolut on your mobile
Create and add a Virtual Card
Top up the virtual card with the cash at a approved retailer - https://help.revolut.com/help/adding-money/cash-de...
Pay the fine with the virtual card details

Job done

Then follow the advice above about consolidation to sort out the other finance problems. Being fully maxed out on multiple CCs and only paying off the interest is not the same situation as someone paying off a mortgage or a car.

Edited by J2daG1990 on Tuesday 23 July 10:15