Can I contest the congestion charge?

Phate

Phate

Phate

Caporegime
Joined
1 Nov 2003
Posts
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Location
Lisbon, Portugal
Now I know the congestion charge is there for a lie...err I mean 'reason' and normally I pay it but I'm fuming about this one.

I went into London a few of weeks ago and I did not realise I drove through a congestion charge zone. And so I didn't pay £8 on the day, so it went to £60 (or whatever it was) (didn't know this until yesterday)

Now yesterday I got a letter through the post about it. And due to me not paying it it is some stupid amount, either £130 or double that - but we have been hit badly by the postal strikes. A letter I sent last Monday didn't arrive until today and that was 1st class...and this letter is dated August 1st

So due to the postal strikes what are the chances I can contest against it? It's a simply ludicrous price. And not exactly my fault it got delayed notifying me!

Thanks.
 
None, i have never known anyone get out of paying for any reason. Ring them and see though, once you overcome the language problem that is.
 
I contested it once and it went on and on, several letters later I offered and accepted to pay the £5 (that's how much it was at the time) and they settled on that.

Up to you, but using the postal strike as an argument won't really fly I don't think. :(
 
You wont be able to contest it but you might be able to appeal against paying the increased charge if you phone them and explain
 
I paid using the wrong reg number and got a fine through. They were quite good about that and I was able to amend the details.
 
Freefaller said:
I contested it once and it went on and on, several letters later I offered and accepted to pay the £5 (that's how much it was at the time) and they settled on that.

Up to you, but using the postal strike as an argument won't really fly I don't think. :(
Click to expand...

I'd be happy to even pay £60 because I didn't pay on the day. But £130 is just obscene...for FIVE minutes in the zone. I already pay my poxy road tax so I can use the roads, why I have to pay again I don't know.
 
Well that's eaxctly the argument I used. They introduced the £10 within 24hr charge too but that was after it went up to £8 (you were able to pay £10 the next day if you forgot, that was to cover "administration fees" :/ ) - I don't know if that still stands - I usually drive in London when the CC isn't operating or on my bike.

Write them a letter, phone them and just start the appeal process, but using the PO as your sole bit of evidence is probably a little weak :(

You've got nothing to lose.
 
Phate said:
I'd be happy to even pay £60 because I didn't pay on the day. But £130 is just obscene...for FIVE minutes in the zone. I already pay my poxy road tax so I can use the roads, why I have to pay again I don't know.
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You have to pay as London is so utterly ******* ridiculous to drive around. Its designed to stop cars from entering and allowing more eco friendly cars into the ore compacts area of the city resulting in less CO2. No I'm not an eco warrior, I don't care and neither visit London for a reason, but it's there and the reaons are quite obvious if you take the rage head hat of.

Unlucky, phone them up, see what you can get out of it, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
 
hilly said:
You have to pay as London is so utterly ******* ridiculous to drive around. Its designed to stop cars from entering and allowing more eco friendly cars into the ore compacts area of the city resulting in less CO2. No I'm not an eco warrior, I don't care and neither visit London for a reason, but it's there and the reaons are quite obvious if you take the rage head hat of.

Unlucky, phone them up, see what you can get out of it, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
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I was in a 1.1L Citreon Van....hardly a planet killer :p

Anyway, rang them up and explained the situation to a guy, he said yep its at £160 now but due to the postal strikes a payment of £60 will be fine.


Get in :cool:
 
Phate said:
I was in a 1.1L Citreon Van....hardly a planet killer :p

Anyway, rang them up and explained the situation to a guy, he said yep its at £160 now but due to the postal strikes a payment of £60 will be fine.


Get in :cool:
Click to expand...

The word is, being observant and reading signs costs nothing ;)


serious mode.
Good result. Painful, but less painful than it could've been.
/serious mode.
 
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