Associate
Hi Motors, been a while. Lurked here for years reading PCN threads and now its my turn...
I've just come home to a lovely letter for a PCN for 'failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle', back in December. The road in question is the A1020/Royal Albert way in Newham, East London, specifically the entrance to the road from Gallions Roundabout (Google Maps Link). This is a particular stretch of road I use for about 95% of my car journeys and I've lived in the area for nearly 4 years now, so I am very familiar with it. About 6 months ago there were some minor roadworks/reconfigurations but most importantly, the 40 MPH signs seen at the entrance on google street view were replaced with digital ones. Here is a photo I took tonight of what it looks like now. I had noticed the "Enforcement camera in operation" sign in the past but I had no idea why all of this had been put in place until tonight.
My PCN was issued just after midnight when I was returning home from the A406 north circular direction. Lo and behold in the photo supplied the 40mph sign was replaced with a motor vehicles prohibited sign (more commonly known as the 'flying motorbike' sign for those like myself that may not be bang up to speed with the highway code). As I/my subconscious was expecting to see a 40MPH sign there as like every other time in the last 4 years - I have zero recollection of noticing the changed signage at the time. That much is on me, bit difficult to argue against that.
I feel the issues here are:
Firstly there is no obvious reason for access to be prohibited for cars and motorbikes to this road - its a 40mph dual carriageway with zero residential and very limited pedestrian access (although I can't help but notice one of the few buildings that does have direct access to this stretch of road is Newham council themselves!). There was definitely nothing 'out of the ordinary' during the drive to suggest that this particular piece of road was indeed closed. I would really like to know what has happened in recent history to compel the council to install digital signs to seemingly open and close the road at will, which brings me to my second point.
There is no forewarning about a road closure on any other approach road. Gallions roundabout is large and flows very well, especially with little to no traffic late at night. There is also a large building in the middle obstructing views of the far side. All this means that transiting the roundabout at 30mph with green lights all the way round would only put those signs in view for a few seconds before I would either be entering the road regardless or potentially make a last second abrupt manoeuvre to avoid entering. Also due to the small period of time the signs are in view surely a clearer sign should be used such as a red cross with wigwags such as those used on managed motorways, or (God Forbid) a sign saying ROAD CLOSED?
So what does motors think? Is there any grounds for appeal here or am I an evil child killer with zero understanding of the highway code and deserve to be sent to the chair?
I've just come home to a lovely letter for a PCN for 'failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle', back in December. The road in question is the A1020/Royal Albert way in Newham, East London, specifically the entrance to the road from Gallions Roundabout (Google Maps Link). This is a particular stretch of road I use for about 95% of my car journeys and I've lived in the area for nearly 4 years now, so I am very familiar with it. About 6 months ago there were some minor roadworks/reconfigurations but most importantly, the 40 MPH signs seen at the entrance on google street view were replaced with digital ones. Here is a photo I took tonight of what it looks like now. I had noticed the "Enforcement camera in operation" sign in the past but I had no idea why all of this had been put in place until tonight.
My PCN was issued just after midnight when I was returning home from the A406 north circular direction. Lo and behold in the photo supplied the 40mph sign was replaced with a motor vehicles prohibited sign (more commonly known as the 'flying motorbike' sign for those like myself that may not be bang up to speed with the highway code). As I/my subconscious was expecting to see a 40MPH sign there as like every other time in the last 4 years - I have zero recollection of noticing the changed signage at the time. That much is on me, bit difficult to argue against that.
I feel the issues here are:
Firstly there is no obvious reason for access to be prohibited for cars and motorbikes to this road - its a 40mph dual carriageway with zero residential and very limited pedestrian access (although I can't help but notice one of the few buildings that does have direct access to this stretch of road is Newham council themselves!). There was definitely nothing 'out of the ordinary' during the drive to suggest that this particular piece of road was indeed closed. I would really like to know what has happened in recent history to compel the council to install digital signs to seemingly open and close the road at will, which brings me to my second point.
There is no forewarning about a road closure on any other approach road. Gallions roundabout is large and flows very well, especially with little to no traffic late at night. There is also a large building in the middle obstructing views of the far side. All this means that transiting the roundabout at 30mph with green lights all the way round would only put those signs in view for a few seconds before I would either be entering the road regardless or potentially make a last second abrupt manoeuvre to avoid entering. Also due to the small period of time the signs are in view surely a clearer sign should be used such as a red cross with wigwags such as those used on managed motorways, or (God Forbid) a sign saying ROAD CLOSED?
So what does motors think? Is there any grounds for appeal here or am I an evil child killer with zero understanding of the highway code and deserve to be sent to the chair?
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