Pensioner ‘cannot afford’ £600 LTN fine
A 77-year-old man has been fined more than £600 for driving into a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) after thinking that a recent lifting of the ban was still in operation.
Peter Kerr, from Brenchley Gardens in Honor Oak Park, received three Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) for driving into a restricted zone. He has appealed each of these but they have been rejected by Lambeth council.
On all three occasions, Mr Kerr had driven through a junction in Downton Avenue while visiting his son to help out with his house, unaware that the area was still an LTN at that time.
Mr Kerr was informed by the community Facebook group, One Lambeth, that the LTN restriction in this zone had been temporarily lifted last year. However Mr Kerr did not know that the restriction had been resumed in November.
Lambeth council said in planning documents that following the completion of the Streatham Hill LTN trial in April 2022 the “infrastructure comprising the scheme was decommissioned and enforcement ceased pending a decision on the implementation of a permanent scheme”.
Mr Kerr claimed that when the restrictions were relaxed, signs highlighting the LTN had not been covered so he was not aware of the reversal.
The council letter informing Mr Kerr of his PCNs stated: “It is unfortunate that you were not aware of or were unfamiliar with the rules that were in force.
“However, it is still up to drivers to be aware of signs and road markings and obey them.”
Mr Kerr said: “The council has not shown any sympathy. I am 77 years old and cannot afford to pay these fines.”
The fines totalled £612 after Mr Kerr failed to appeal the PCNs within 28 days of the first letter.
When Mr Kerr received the fines he wrote to the council to ask for details of a higher appeal system.
A council representative wrote back and informed him that individual forms for a higher appeal had been enclosed with the original PCN.
The subsequent correspondence between Mr Kerr and the council meant that Mr Kerr exceeded the 28-day limit due to delays with post.
During this correspondence, Mr Kerr received a letter from the council which incorrectly stated he had paid one of the PCN fines.
Mr Kerr said: “I feel now that everywhere we are being persecuted, if you own a car it’s not good news.
“We don’t have a lot of money and my wife is now terrified of driving in a car. Every time I go out she says ‘just be careful’. It’s very stressful.”
A Lambeth Council spokesman said: “Drivers who are fined are breaking the rules.
“LTNs work to reduce through traffic, lower vehicle speeds and reduce road danger. In our borough, which has low car ownership, they also contribute to tacking health inequalities.
“When restrictions are suspended all the signs are covered up or removed. They are then uncovered or put back in when the restrictions re-apply.
“We work to ensure any changes to road rules are clearly communicated.”
Pictured top: Downton Avenue, where Mr Kerr, also pictured, entered the LTN (Picture: Google Street View, Yvette Kerr)
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Sorry, but the drove past clear signs saying the road was closed to motor vehicles and he ignored the first letter. He didn’t jsut do it once, but three times.
At the very least he isn’t an observant driver and that makes him a dangerous driver. Perhaps at age 77 it’s time to hand his keys in.