Forum Topic

PCN - Staveley Road Christmas

Anyone else got a PCN from the Christmas period?  As reported on ChiswickW4 the restrictions were lifted but we've had a PCN for Staveley Road for Boxing Day.  How angry does that make you feel?

Philip Hodges ● 1355d29 Comments

It's almost like the way they keep changing the restrictions is deliberate. That's from someone who's been done SIX times in Staveley Road. I'm currently appealing against 3 of them

Andy Jacobs ● 1355d

As said before, it's one of LBH's favourite tenets: 'Confusing Road Rules = More Revenue'.

Colin Jordan ● 1355d

Stevec Urran had to earn his gong somehow :-(

Richard Greenhough ● 1355d

Sounds like a case for Richard Jennings.

Richard Greenhough ● 1355d

The original report refers to a letter written by the council leader to councillors confirming the decision. If you can get your hands on a copy of that letter, I can't see how they could possibly refuse an appeal. I'm sure any of the local ward representatives would be happy to oblige.

Felicity Caborn ● 1355d

I got one (Boxing Day). I just checked the video footage which clearly shows my car pass the taped over restriction sign so I look forward to a cancelled fine

Gerry Davies ● 1355d

Hi all - can confirm that restrictions on Staveley Road were lifted between 7pm on 23rd December and 8am on 2nd January. If you've erroneously received a PCN during that time, feel free to drop me an email on jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk and I'll pass on your details to the traffic team to ensure they're cancelled.

Jack Emsley ● 1355d

Hi Jack, that's reassuring but do you know if there is there any upto date guidance to London Councils for their operation of CCTV systems?I found https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/download/file/fid/4033 but that dates from 2012.If that guidance is still being followed, then perhaps none of these PCNs should have been issued in the first place if the signs were covered up and that was visible in the video.The (quite probably superceded by now) guidance back then stated:Unattended System2.3.10 Unattended systems are automated CCTV systems which operate without operatorintervention. They record contraventions from which PCNs are issued on the basis of therecorded images. The recorded images must be reviewed by an operator before a PCN isissued

Andrew Jones ● 1355d

PS Having googled you, I can see that you are a Councillor so thank you for supporting those people who have been incorrectly issued with PCNs.

Andrew Jones ● 1355d

Hi Andrew - Agree none of the PCNs should have been issued in the first place if that guidance was being followed. I find it very strange that residents have been given PCNs whilst the restrictions were lifted and signs were covered up, and if any do get in touch I'll also ask the traffic department for an explanation as to why/how they were issued erroneously in the first place...

Jack Emsley ● 1355d

But that depends on people knowing enough to get in touch.  Surely they should just all be cancelled - the council knows when the "contravention" occurred

Ceinwen Mailvagnam ● 1355d

I agree, and have asked the traffic team to look into why this happened and to correct any other similar cases from the Christmas period. In the meantime, though, happy to help with individual cases if sent through (some already have!).

Jack Emsley ● 1355d

Good to see some support here. Just heard that LBH are looking at local traffic being able to turn right into Burlington due to the near misses of going in via a right turn into Staveley from the A316. Is this in review Jack?

Russell Pearson ● 1355d

Afraid I haven't heard that, although that suggestion was brought up at a meeting between residents east of the A316 and LBH traffic officers in December. Will see if I can find out more!

Jack Emsley ● 1355d

Seems local residents have raised concerns. They’ve seen many issues and think it’s not a safe right turn, 2 lanes of facing traffic and some turning across etc.

Russell Pearson ● 1355d

We got a ticket for driving in Staveley Rd. on 21 December when we visited our parent's graves at Chiswick New Cemetery, it was during the utter chaos at Chalker's Corner, so we returned via the A4 and Gt. West Rd. back to Isleworth. Nice.

Vanessa Smith ● 1355d

Why was the restriction reinstated on the 2nd January? That day was a Bank Holiday too. My guess is to catch people out and make some easy cash.

Brian Green ● 1354d

Perfect - ours was on Boxing Day as well

Philip Hodges ● 1354d

With the greatest respect, Jack, one would think Amy Croft would be rushing to help to salvage what little is left of Labour's local reputation. This issue lies squarely in her ward and it is her party foisting these inane restrictions and penalties on the community.Her silence speaks volumes.

David Edward ● 1354d

The residents groups lobbying Amy Croft want the LTN in Grove Park David. The local residents are overwhelmingly in favour of stopping their roads being used as a shortcut between the A4 and A316. In fact the residents groups want to restrict traffic going southbound as well as northbound and have been campaigning for more cameras on every road into the area to fine errant drivers. I disagree with them and think that their desire to avoid their own driving being restricted in any way has clouded their judgment but nonetheless it's not Amy's role to represent residents living outside her ward who want to drive through it. Otherwise Jack would need to listen to people who would like him to remove the many LTN restrictions protecting residents from through traffic in his ward - Homefields.

Paul Campbell ● 1354d

I can't see how they can turn down your appeal but experience has shown they may find a way. What seems more likely is that they won't proactively cancel PCNs but will only refund if the person given the fine appeals.

Francis Rowe ● 1354d

Hi David and Paul - just to clarify, as of the latest set of boundary changes last year, Staveley Road and Hartington Road are both in Homefields ward, not Riverside ward.

Jack Emsley ● 1354d

Yes I'm aware of that thanks Jack. Just pointing out that the Grove Park Group and SOGA are lobbying Amy of Riverside Ward and the Council for further restrictions to through-traffic in the area. I am not aware of any group lobbying her to remove the restrictions that David describes as "inane". Just as there is no group lobbying you to remove the many existing pre-2020 traffic restrictions in Homefields Ward.While I'm here I'll also point out that due to the Corney Road LTN the use case for residents east of the A316 needing to turn right into Burlington Lane off the A316 to access facilities in Grove Park is vanishingly small. It's about 20 households in the cul-de-sacs of Boston Gardens and Langham Place right? Anybody coming from Church St and east of there can just use the A4 if they are worried about waiting for the red light to stop the traffic for a right turn into Staveley Road.

Paul Campbell ● 1354d

Hi all - a quick update. I've spoken to the traffic department, who have informed me that 169 (!) PCNs were issued in error over the Christmas period. They have all now been cancelled, and anybody who did receive a fine should receive a letter apologising for the error and confirming cancellation shortly. More information in the news section of CW4 shortly...

Jack Emsley ● 1354d

One can learn so much on this forum. That said, the "system" clearly isn't working. Everyone thought it would be beneficial to have Amy on board as a direct line to the Labour powers that be. Instead of stepping in to represent that promise, she is MIA. This is the perfect example of a Labour failing.With taped up signage there is zero reason a PCN should have been issued. Calling Amy? Calling Labour? That said, duct tape and garbage bags?But thanks to Jack for doing his part. And, as mentioned on another thread, to the local superhero known as Richard Jennings.

David Edward ● 1354d

"Everyone thought it would be beneficial to have Amy on board as a direct line to the Labour powers that be."Citation needed. Unless you are the official spokesperson for everybody of course in which case humblest apologies etc.

Paul Campbell ● 1354d

Great work. Just to be belt and braces on this, the article on the front page says that nobody has actually paid any of the fines yet. If someone does, is the council going to give the refund or will they claim, as has happened previously in this and other boroughs where fines have proven to be incorrect, that payment is an admission of guilt?

Francis Rowe ● 1354d

I would expect any fines that are paid to be refunded, but will ask for this to be clarified by traffic. If anyone has paid their fine already, feel free to drop me an email.

Jack Emsley ● 1354d

In a case like this where the council have now said they will cancel any existing PCNs that haven't already been paid (and hence have implicitly acknowledged none of the PCNs should have been issued) it would look really bad on the council if they didn't choose to refund any payments that had already been made automatically. That really would be keeping money under false pretences.Well done Jack for being willing to chase this with traffic dept.

Andrew Jones ● 1354d