Penalty for parking with 2 wheels on grass verge

[Tawdrylocalbrouhaha]

My council has issued a penalty for parking with 2 wheels on the grass verge on a road adjacent to the forest. The road is narrow, with double yellow lines on the other side, but none on the side I parked on. If I parked fully on the road, a van etc would not fit past, so I pulled two wheels on to the verge (which is not a path, just scrubby grass then a hedge and ditch). It seemed the sensible thing to do, and other vehicles were parked likewise.

Is it worth appealing, or should I just pay it? I feel morally in the right, and haven't heard of people getting ticketed for this before.

Did everyone get ticketed?
Is there a sign to say you shouldn't park like that, or shouldn't park there at all?
I think if you've parked there before without issue, and there is no sign, then it's worth appealing BUT be aware that the fine will probably double if you don't pay it within a short time period and if you lose your appeal you'll be paying more.

Some councils do have by-laws about not parking off-road - usually on pavements - might be worth checking their website to see if anything has changed recently. I would suggest calling them but if they're like most councils, they'll take forever to answer and put you through to an answering machine!

It’s always worth a go. Post this on Pepipoo the parking penalty site and you’ll get a lot of good advice

www.pepipoo.com/

Just to disagree slightly with one of the above posts - you need to appeal within the reduced fee time period but once the council receive your appeal they will freeze the fine so even if you lose you will still be able to pay the reduced fee for a limited time. So it’s always worth appealing promptly.

I've never parked there before, and there is no sign saying not to. I believe technically it is never permitted to park on any part of a road other than the carriageway, but of course we all do.

By the time we got back only one other vehicle was still there, and it had been ticketed too. I would call the council, but their phone system is set up so that you cannot speak to anyone, only make payments or receive pre-recorded answers referring you to their website...I don't have the patience!

I'll have a browse of Pepipoo. I suspect they may be legally entitled to enforce it but...how ridiculous.

Oh, and I missed the reduced period because the ticket was missing from the unsealed envelope, they are uncontactable by phone, and did not respond to my letter (sent next working day) asking them to contact me to clarify the nature of the offence.

They just waited for the reduced period to expire, then sent details.

If you have proof of postage for a letter sent next working day they will still let you pay the reduced fee. Whenever contacting councils always get proof of postage for everything or contact them by email so you get their acknowledgement of receipt email.

Ah, but the parking service cannot be contacted by phone or email (that would be too convenient). I have proof of postage, and I'm sure they will offer the reduced penalty.

But so much time wasted for such a piddling infringement! Time that could be better spent piddling around on Mumsnet! (Or family, work etc of course).