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Challenge a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

Challenges against Penalty Charge notices (PCNs)

If you challenge or make a representation against a PCN the case will be put on hold from the date your challenge is received. We will aim to respond to you within 25 working days. 

To help us deal with your case, please make sure you provide any relevant evidence to support your challenge, along with the PCN number, your name, postal address and email address. If you do not provide these details, it will cause a delay in your case being fully considered.

The PCN will not increase in price or progress until we contact you with our decision.

Please do not contact us about your PCN if it has been less than 25 working days since you submitted your challenge. You can check the status of your PCN at https://esccocm.itsvc.co.uk/

To challenge a parking PCN you should contact us in writing within 14 days of issue before the charge increases.

You will need the PCN number and your vehicle registration. You should explain your reasons for challenging clearly and simply and include copies of any evidence to support your claim, such as receipts or witness statements.

To make representations against a bus lane PCN you should contact us in writing within 21 days of issue before the charge increases.

If you pay the PCN the case will be closed and any challenge against it may not be considered.

When a challenge or representation is received the PCN will be put on hold, the amount due will not increase until we have reached a decision and written back to you. We aim to respond to challenges received within 25 working days. You can challenge a PCN in the following ways:

Online

Make sure you enter the details correctly, particularly distinguishing between the numerical 0 and alphabetical o.

When you have entered the PCN number and vehicle registration, a summary of the PCN will be shown.

  • To challenge the PCN, click on the tab titled Challenge or Representation.
  • To pay the PCN, click on Pay PCN.
  • To view the photographs, click on the tab titled View Images.

Email

Email your challenge to Parking Penalties.

Make sure you include the PCN number and your vehicle registration.

Post

Send your challenge to the Parking Team:

Parking Team,
Eastbourne Library,
Grove Road,
Eastbourne,
BN21 4TL

Make sure you include the PCN number, your vehicle registration and an address for us to send the reply to.

Cancellation guide

In the interests of transparency we publish our cancellation guides which is used when considering challenges and appeals against PCNs.

How we deal with challenges

The challenge and appeal process is set by legislation and should not be confused with the Council’s complaint procedures. More information on both is available at:

PATROL – legislation (Parking And Traffic Regulations Outside London) 

Customer feedback: East Sussex County Council, complaints and compliments

Legislation requires that all challenges against PCNs are considered by Council officers fully trained in the legal and statutory requirements. Your challenge will be investigated and considered by a member of the Parking Notice Processing Team who will respond to you with our decision.

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