Information about parking fines

Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)

Drivers must follow parking rules and road signs to avoid penalties. A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) may be issued for parking or driving violations. Common reasons include:

  • parking on yellow lines or where waiting/loading restrictions apply
  • parking without a valid ticket or staying longer than allowed
  • returning to the same parking bay within a restricted time
  • parking in a disabled bay, permit holder bay, taxi rank, or loading bay without authorisation
  • parking at a bus stop during restricted hours
  • parking outside a marked bay

For full details, see our parking policy.

How PCNs are served

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) can be issued in two ways:

Issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO)

A CEO may issue a PCN:

  • on the vehicle - attached to the windscreen
  • handed to the driver - if they return before the PCN is issued

Issued by post

PCNs are sent by post if:

  • the driver leaves before a CEO can issue it ("drive-away" PCN)
  • a camera detects the contravention - such as stopping illegally outside schools or at bus stops

You can pay at a discounted rate within 14 days or challenge the PCN if you believe it was wrongly issued.

PCN charges

The penalty amount depends on the seriousness of the offence:

  • some violations cost £70, while others cost £50
  • pay within 14 days to receive a discounted rate

How to pay a PCN

You can pay your parking fine online, by phone, or by post.

Online payment

Pay securely with a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Delta). American Express and Diners Club are not accepted.

By phone

Call 0870 240 6650 with your PCN number and card details.

  • calls cost 1p per minute, plus any charges from your provider
  • non-UK residents must use the automated payment service on 0870 240 6650
  • no extra fee for card payments.

By post

Send a cheque or postal order payable to Southend-on-Sea City Council.

  • write your PCN number on the back
  • do not send cash. We do not accept cash payments
  • post-dated cheques will not be accepted

Please note: paying the PCN at any stage closes the case and no further appeals can be entered.

Challenging a PCN

If you believe your PCN was issued incorrectly, you can challenge it online.

Challenges must be in writing, we do not discuss PCNs over the phone.

Photographic evidence (if available) can be viewed 24 hours after issue.

If your vehicle was present when the PCN was issued, or if you drove away before it was placed, photos may not be available.

Once submitted, your case will be reviewed. No further action will be taken while we assess your challenge. Processing can take 4 to 6 weeks (longer during busy periods).

Formal appeals

If you are the registered keeper of the vehicle and receive a Notice to Owner or an Enforcement Notice (for bus lane PCNs), you have the right to submit a formal appeal to us:

  • if your appeal is successful, the charge will be cancelled
  • if your appeal is unsuccessful, you will need to pay the full amount

Appealing to the independent adjudicator

If your formal appeal is rejected, you can escalate the case to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT), an independent adjudicator.

We will provide instructions on how to appeal online or send you the necessary form.

The adjudicator will review your case, and their decision is legally binding for both you and the council.

Charge Certificate

If a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) remains unpaid after 28 days and no challenge or appeal has been received, the council will issue a Charge Certificate, increasing the penalty by 50%. The Charge Certificate is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle, who then has 14 days to pay the increased amount.

At this stage, the PCN cannot be appealed or challenged. If payment is not received within the 14-day period, the council may register the debt with the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC). This can result in further enforcement action, including a Warrant of Control, which may lead to enforcement agents (bailiffs) recovering the debt.

Order for Recovery

If the Charge Certificate remains unpaid after 14 days, the council may register the outstanding PCN as a debt with the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC). A £9 court registration fee is added, and an Order for Recovery is issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle. This notice informs you that the council is seeking to recover the unpaid penalty through enforcement action.

You will have 21 days to either pay the full outstanding amount or submit a legal challenge by filing a Witness Statement or Statutory Declaration, but only in limited circumstances. It is important to note that at this stage, you cannot challenge the original PCN, you may only submit a challenge if you did not receive previous notices, have already paid, or if a response to a formal appeal was not received.

PCNs referred to enforcement agents (bailiffs)

If a PCN remains unpaid, the council may register it as a debt with the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC). A warrant of control is then issued, allowing enforcement agents (bailiffs) to recover the debt.

At this stage, additional enforcement fees apply.

What to do if your PCN has been sent to a bailiff

  1. Contact the bailiff directly to discuss payment options or request a repayment plan.Their details will be on the letter you received.
  2. Check if you can challenge the enforcement. If you did not receive previous notices related to your PCN, you may be eligible to file an Out of Time (OOT) Witness Statement with the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC), more information can be found on then GOV.UKwebsite.
    If enforcement action is imminent, you can apply for a Stay of Execution to temporarily suspend enforcement actions, more information can be found on the GOV.UK website.
  3. Seek independent advice from Citizens Advice or National Debtline.
  4. Do not ignore the bailiffs. Ignoring enforcement can lead to higher costs or even seizure of goods.

Bailiff conduct and complaints

We expect all enforcement agents to act professionally and fairly.

If you have concerns about a bailiff's conduct, please contact the enforcement company to follow their complaints process:

Marston Group

Newlyn Plc

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