This page explains how to appeal against a penalty charge notice (PCN) issued for contravening bus lane regulations in Merton. Appealing against a PCN is called "making a representation".
It is not possible to appeal a PCN after paying the penalty charge. Payment of a PCN indicates that the motorist has accepted liability and the right of appeal is lost.
Who can appeal
Where an Enforcement Notice has been served, we will only enter into correspondence with the registered keeper of the vehicle as recorded by the DVLA. The registered keeper may email or write to us to advise that they have appointed a representative to deal with the matter on their behalf and only then will we correspond with the named representative.
View evidence or pay your PCN online
You can view photographic evidence of your contravention (if any was taken) and appeal or pay your PCN on our website. You will need your PCN number and vehicle registration.
When a PCN is served you can pay at a discounted rate of 50%, providing that you pay within 14 days of the PCN being served.
Appealing your PCN
We enforce bus lane contraventions via our network of CCTV cameras. A bus lane contravention PCN is issued when a vehicle is seen to be travelling within a bus lane during restricted hours.
In these instances we will use the vehicle registration to identify the owner of the vehicle, and the PCN will be mailed to the address the vehicle is registered at with DVLA. Images and CCTV footage can be viewed on our website.
Should you wish to make a representation against the issuing of the PCN you may do so by
- online:
Appeal your PCN - or by sending a letter which is signed and dated to Merton Parking Services at the Civic Centre address below:
Merton Parking Services
Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX
Please quote the PCN number in all correspondence.
Because a PCN is a legal document, we will not accept representations by phone or in person for any part of the appeal process.
All representations received will be investigated in a strict chronological order and you will be informed in writing of our decision.
If your representation is successful, the fine will be withdrawn.
If your representation is unsuccessful and we have received your challenge within 14 days from the date of service of the PCN, we will give you another 14 days to pay the discounted charge on your notice. If we receive your challenge after the 14 days have passed, then you will be charged the full amount.
If you pay your charge at any stage, you lose your right to appeal.
Enforcement Notice (EN)
If you do not wish to pay and still wish to contest the issue of the PCN then you must await the issue of the Enforcement Notice (EN). This will allow you another opportunity to make representation against the issuing of the PCN. The discounted rate of payment does not apply at this stage, and should you decide to pay the PCN, this will be at the higher rate.
All representations at the Enforcement Notice stage must be received in writing in one of the following ways:
- by completion of the Enforcement Notice document
- online:
Appeal your PCN - or by sending a letter which is signed and dated to Merton Parking Services at the Civic Centre address below:
Merton Parking Services
Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX
If you miss the payment deadline you will get a Charge Certificate and your fine will increase by 50%.
Appeal to the London Tribunals
If our response to the representation made at the Enforcement Notice stage is not to cancel it, then you will receive a Notice of Rejection. You will also receive details of how you can apply to the London Tribunals for them to adjudicate on this matter. You cannot apply to London Tribunals until you have received a Notice of Rejection.
If you decide to ask for adjudication from London Tribunals you will be notified when the case is to be heard. You can attend in person or the case can be heard in your absence. There are no additional costs to you for using London Tribunals and the adjudicator's decision is binding on both parties.
If the adjudicator decides that the PCN is valid, you will be given a further 28 days to pay it at the higher rate. After an appeal has been heard, you have no further right to appeal.
For further information see the London Tribunals website.
If you miss the payment deadline you will get a Charge Certificate and your fine will increase by 50%.
If you still don't pay
If you still don't pay we will apply to the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC) to register the outstanding debt. A court registration fee will be added on.
We will send an Order for Recovery and Statutory Declaration to the registered keeper. You can either:
- pay the fine
- file a Statutory Declaration with the TEC (if one of the limited grounds applies to you as detailed on the Order for Recovery).
If we don't receive a response, we may apply for a Warrant of Execution to the TEC and your case will be passed to the Enforcement Agents (bailiffs). You will be liable to pay enforcement charges on top of the existing fine.
Freedom of Information requests
Please do not include requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 with your appeal. If you wish to request such information, please follow the guidance on our Freedom of Information page.