Council Fine CheckWhat Tower Hamlets enforces
- Parking
- Enforces — civil enforcement officers in controlled parking zones and on yellow lines
- Bus lanes / gates
- Enforces — CCTV, with an Enforcement Notice stage
- Moving traffic
- Enforces — PCNs sent by post
- Penalty level
- Band A: £160 higher level, £110 lower level (London Councils)
- Appeals
- London Tribunals (free)
About Tower Hamlets PCNs
Tower Hamlets only accepts PCN challenges in writing, and it replies by post, so it asks for your full name and postal address with every challenge even if you think it already has them. It also asks for one challenge per PCN: appeals that bundle several PCNs together may not be processed.
There are two routes. An informal challenge is available for PCNs issued by a civil enforcement officer and for bus lane PCNs. If it reaches the council within 14 days of the PCN being issued (or 14 days from service of a postal PCN), the case is put on hold and, if you are unsuccessful, you may get another chance to pay at the discount. If you disagree with the answer, the council asks you not to write again until the Notice to Owner, or the Enforcement Notice for a bus lane CCTV PCN, arrives; that is sent at least 28 days after the PCN was served.
Formal representations are made against a Notice to Owner, a bus lane Enforcement Notice, or a postal PCN for a parking or moving traffic contravention, using the webcode printed at the top right of the notice. If rejected, the Notice of Rejection carries a separate verification code for appealing to London Tribunals. Footage and images can be viewed online, but the council notes this works on a laptop or desktop rather than a phone.
How to challenge a Tower Hamlets PCN
- Check the deadline. A camera PCN sent by post gets a 50% discount if paid within 14 days; representations are normally due within 28 days of the notice being served.
- Make representations to the council as explained on its PCN page or by post to Parking, Mobility & Transport Services, PO Box 14790, London E14 2WA. Quote the PCN number and the grounds that apply.
- If rejected, appeal to London Tribunals within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection. The adjudicator is independent of Tower Hamlets.
London penalty levels from 7 April 2025: Band A £160/£110, Band B £140/£90; bus lane and moving traffic £160 (London Councils).
Questions
Does Tower Hamlets hold the discount if I challenge?
If your informal challenge arrives within 14 days, the council puts the case on hold and says you may get a further chance to pay at the discounted rate if it is rejected.
What is the webcode on a Tower Hamlets notice?
A code at the top right of the Notice to Owner or Enforcement Notice that you need for a formal representation. The council's Contact Centre (020 7364 5000) can give it to you if you lose the notice.
Can I challenge several Tower Hamlets PCNs in one go?
No. The council asks for a separate challenge for each PCN number.
Where do I appeal a Tower Hamlets PCN if my challenge is rejected?
To London Tribunals, which is independent of the council. Appeals are free and must normally be made within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection.