My PCN appeal response received 2 months later

[Dingdong99]

I got a parking fine on 2/8, and appealed it the next day

I've just had a response from Merton and on 18/10, so more than 60 days later

I've read that they have 56 days to respond and if they don't within this time, they have to cancel the fine

Is this correct?

London Tribunals, to whom an appeal would be sent say 56 days:

https://www.londontribunals.gov.uk/eat/understanding-enforcement-process/parking-penalty-charge-notice-enforcement-proces

Scroll down to the section headed The enforcement authority considers your representations.

I wonder however whether there is enough latitude with time allowed for service that 56 days was met? I'm thinking that if the clock starts when they are deemed to have received your representations and stops when they send the response.

If you're considering an appeal to the Tribunal on the merits of the alleged infringement then adding breach of time limits would be a worthwhile adding time limits as a second string.

Having been to the Tribunal I would say it's worthwhile if you're reasonably sure of your grounds, particularly if you have the time to attend in person and present your case.

Thank you

Notwithstanding the info above OP. More info needed.

Was the ticket issue and served on your vehicle? If so, as you wrote in the following day, the council probably dealt with it as an informal challenge.

Look at the letter they sent you. What is the title of that letter. If it is headed ‘Rejection of Representations’ and includes a large appeal form, then the info in the link and 56 day limit applies.

However, I suspect not, as council systems are typically set to flag up , or monitored by a team leader/supervisor so the 56 day limit isn’t missed.

Thanks@Oneeva the informal reps thing crossed my mind after I posted.