A Catford mother says she feels “targeted and victimised” after being issued 13 parking fines at her home despite holding a valid resident permit and keeping payments up to date.
Ashleigh Gordon, 30, who lives with her 11-month-old baby on Bowness Road, says the problem began in early July when she started receiving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) stating she did not have a permit. She says she contacted Lewisham Council but was told there was “nothing on their system” explaining why the notices were being issued.
According to Ms Gordon, four of the initial tickets were cancelled, but new notices continued to arrive, with further PCNs issued as recently as 6 and 7 August. She says she is now “sick and tired” of fighting the tickets and is appealing every one.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said the PCNs issued to Ms Gordon appear to have been caused by a “technical issue” affecting the recognition of her valid parking permit. The council added it is “actively investigating” the cause and that any PCNs issued in error will be “reviewed and addressed accordingly”.
The council said it understands the “concern and frustration” the situation has caused and will contact Ms Gordon with a further update once its enquiries are complete.
If you receive a PCN you believe is wrong, you can challenge it. Key points from government guidance include:
- You generally have 28 days to challenge a PCN.
- If you challenge within 14 days and your challenge is rejected, you may only have to pay 50% of the fine.
- spot (on your windscreen), you make an informal challenge with the council.
- For PCNs received in the post (such as a “notice to owner”), you make a formal challenge, called a “representation”.
- You should explain your reasons in detail and provide copies of any evidence or documents that support your challenge.
- If your representation is accepted, you will not have to pay the fine.
- If your challenge is rejected, you will get a “notice of rejection” giving you 28 days to pay or appeal to an independent tribunal.
In cases like Ms Gordon’s, where a council has acknowledged a technical issue, residents are often advised to keep copies of permits, payment confirmations, and any correspondence with the council as evidence when appealing.
Parking enforcement has been a contentious issue across south London in recent years. In 2025, one south London council reported being owed £1.1 million in unpaid parking fines, with one driver owing more than £68,000 after accumulating 343 fines. There have also been high-profile cases of apparently erroneous fines, such as a car in south London receiving tickets after a disabled bay was painted around it while the owner was on holiday; the council later revoked the tickets and apologised.
At the same time, parking penalty charges in London have been rising. In 2025, the mayor approved increases that could see higher-level offences in Band A areas rise from £130 to £160, and in Band B areas from £110 to £140. Critics argue that rising costs and aggressive enforcement can feel like a “war on motorists”, particularly for key workers who rely on cars.
What this means for Catford residents
For residents in Catford and across Lewisham, the Gordon case underlines the importance of:
- Checking that your resident permit shows as active on the council’s system, not just in your email confirmations.
- Keeping records of all permit payments and correspondence with the council.
- Challenging PCNs promptly if you believe they are wrong, especially within the 14-day window that can preserve the 50% discount option if your challenge is later rejected.
Lewisham Council has said it is working to establish the cause of the technical issue as quickly as possible and will update Ms Gordon once its enquiries are complete.
