Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
From 31 March 2008, South Lakeland District
Council's Parking Department has been carrying out Civil
Enforcement Parking, incorporated in the Traffic Management Act
2004 (TMA 2004).
South Lakeland District Council employs Civil Enforcement
Officers (CEOs) to enforce parking restrictions
in SLDC-operated off-street car parks. The CEOs issue
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to illegally-parked vehicles using
handheld computers. Since 2008, there is no longer a need for
the PCN to be placed on the vehicle in order for it to be correctly
served, as the TMA 2004 allows the PCN, in certain circumstances,
to be sent by post to the registered keeper.
Differential parking charges were introduced in 2008, classed as
'higher' and 'lower'. PCNs have to state the contravention
code with a short description. For example, parking in a
space for the disabled without a valid Blue Badge is deemed to be a
more serious contravention whereas parking after expiry of a
pay-and-display ticket is considered a lesser contravention.
Contravention codes used
on car parks
Current charges
There is an appeals' process
established in the TMA 2004.
For details on challenging a PCN you have received, please go to
'How to Challenge a Penalty Charge
Notice'.
Cumbria County Council enforces regulations
on-street. Powers to enforce clearways on trunk roads
and obstructions on the Highway are retained by the
Police.
How to pay a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
There are a number of ways in which you can pay your
PCN. Please note that the PCN is always set at the
standard rate i.e. either £50.00 or £70.00, but the TMA 2004 allows
a reduction for early settlement. The discounted
figure is usually acceptable within fourteen days of the date
of issue. Please check the amount owing on the front of
the PCN, or contact Parking Services if you are
unsure.
The Council does not accept cash payments (see below for
paying by cash at a Post Office), so do not send cash in
the post.
Your account number is the number of the PCN which
begins SC. The only letters are the first two, the rest are
all numbers.
- You can pay pay on-line with a Debit
or Credit Card. We do not accept American Express
cards.
- You can send a cheque or postal order, payable to South
Lakeland District Council. Please write the PCN number on the
back of the cheque (beginning SC), the vehicle registration number,
and your address.
- You can pay using the automated telephone service number, on
0845 0501734 (local call 24 hours a
day).
- You can pay by cash at the Post Office by
Transcash. Please quote the Transcash code 6171230. You
should also write the PCN number in the reference section on the
slip otherwise we cannot match up the case to the payment.
Please note that the Post Office do levy a charge for this method
of payment.
How to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice
If you believe you have been issued a PCN incorrectly and
wish to challenge the issue of the
PCN
, you should not pay the charge.
Instead you should submit your challenge in writing stating why you
think the PCN shouldn't have been issued. You can challenge either
online or by post.
More information on how to challenge a
PCN
Contact us
Parking Services
Neighbourhood Services Department
South Lakeland House
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4DH
01539 793160 (Direct Line) or
0845 050 4434 (the main Council number)
Fax: 01539 740300