As a pensioner driving in London at 5.30pm on a Sunday evening, I became disoriented after following diversionary signs from multi road closures and stopped to consult my ABC and seek directions from a passing taxi driver. My total stopping time was less than three minutes, but long enough to be caught on camera and receive a Penalty Charge Notice for stopping where prohibited i.e. on a Red Route or Clearway.

Acknowledging the fact that I had stopped, I made representation based on the reason for and the duration of the stop but this was rejected and I was advised of TfL's Appeals Procedures which made it abundantly clear that the Adjudicator was bound by strict rules of procedure and could not take the circumstances of a particular case into consideration. Failure at appeal would automatically result in a doubling of the penalty charge imposed. Further representation asking that common sense be applied was met by advice to follow the set appeals procedure which, by TfL rules, could not be successful and would result in a doubling of the penalty. Is this advice fraudulent?