What can I do if I receive a Penalty Charge Notice?

There are two options available:

Make Payment

When a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued the amount payable will either be £70.00 or £50.00 (the amount will be stated on the PCN), payable within 28 days of the date the PCN was issued.

However, provided payment is received within 14 days of the issue date, with the issue date being day 1, a discounted amount of 50% will be accepted in full and final settlement.

Payment can be made in a number of ways:

1. Via the internet by using our online payments service.
2. By credit/debit card by telephoning (01432) 383525 during the following times:
   Monday to Wednesday: 8.45am - 4.45pm Thursday: 8.45am - 4.00pm Friday: 8.45am - 4.30pm. Please note that payments will only be made for the amount you request; you will need to advise the cashier of the amount you wish to pay (they do NOT have access to the Parking System to advise you).
3. By post, sending your cheque or postal order to the Parking Enforcement Section, PO Box 224, Town Hall, Hereford, HR1 2XW. Please ensure your PCN number and vehicle registration number are quoted on the reverse of the cheque or postal order.
4. In person at any of the following Herefordshire Council offices:
   • The Enquiry Centre, Garrick House, Widemarsh Street, Hereford: Monday to Thursday: 9.00am - 4.45 pm Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm Saturday: 9.00am - 12.45pm
   • Swan House, Edde Cross Street, Ross-on-Wye; St Katharines, Ledbury; 11 Corn Square, Leominster: Monday to Thursday: 9.00am - 4.45pm Friday: 9.00am - 4.30pm
   • The Bromyard Centre, Cruxwell Street, Bromyard: Monday to Friday: 8.15am - 9.00pm Saturday: 9.00am - 3.45pm
   • Kington Centre, 64 Bridge Street, Kington: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9.00am - 1.00pm Tuesday: 9.00am - 6.00pm Thursday: 12.00pm - 6.00pm

Challenge the PCN

If you feel the PCN should not have been issued or you feel there may be mitigating circumstances surrounding the time parked, then you can make a challenge against the issuing of the PCN.

However, only written challenges will be accepted, which can be made in a number of ways:

1. By sending a letter to the Parking Enforcement Section, PO Box 224, Town Hall, Hereford, HR1 2XW
2. By fax to (01432) 260305
3. By e-mail to parking@herefordshire.gov.uk

Please ensure the PCN number and vehicle registration is on your correspondence. Failure to do this may mean the Parking Team not being able to allocate your correspondence to your particular PCN. Please also provide your address so that we can reply to you.

Should you have any evidence which you think may support your challenge, such as a disabled person's badge, season disc or residents' parking permit, please enclose a legible copy with your correspondence.

All letters will be replied to promptly and the target is that a reply will be sent within 10 working days of receipt. If the matter is complex and a full reply will not be possible in that period, then an acknowledgement letter is to be sent within 5 days of receipt. If there is a high volume of correspondence received, an acknowledgement will be sent within 2 working days of receipt.

However, should you have a general enquiry, such as how much is outstanding or why the PCN has been issued, you can contact the Parking Team on (01432) 260400. The Parking Team will be unable to advise whether a challenge will be successful or not.

Please note - a challenge cannot be made over the telephone.

If I make a challenge and am unsuccessful, can I still pay the discounted amount?

Yes.

Once a PCN is received the Notice will be placed on hold until a response is sent. If your correspondence is received within 14 days of the date of issue, with day 1 being the day the PCN is issued, and you are unsuccessful with your challenge you will be notified, in writing, and given a further 14 days in which to pay the discounted amount. This payment will have to be received within 14 days of the date of our letter.

Should your challenge be successful, confirmation will be sent, in writing, advising the PCN has been waived.

All objections/challenges will be considered based on the guidance contained in pages 6 - 34 of the 'Appeals and Representations Protocols'.

Last Updated: 27 May 08,
Review Date: 20 September 2005