Bentinck Road: urgent circumstances did not establish an exemption (2026)

Case 225015411A / 2025-07-26 / Adjudicator Michael Burke

Bentinck Road

“I am not satisfied that any exemption applies.”

Michael Burke

The allegation was failure to drive in the direction shown by a blue arrow. The driver did not dispute the movement, but explained that blocked roads and urgent personal circumstances had led to taking that route.

Michael Burke found that the camera evidence showed the vehicle driving the full visible length of the one-way street in the wrong direction. Having considered the evidence, he was satisfied that the contravention occurred and the PCN was properly issued and served.

The appeal was refused on 26 July 2025 because no exemption had been established and the explanation did not go beyond mitigation. The adjudicator noted that Hillingdon could cancel in its discretion, but he could not direct cancellation on mitigating circumstances alone.

The practical distinction is between evidence establishing a legal exception and circumstances supporting a request for discretion. This decision records the latter; it should not be presented as a finding that every emergency or every claimed exception must fail.

Source and case reference

Use case reference 225015411A in the London Tribunals register to find the official decision. This commentary distinguishes the adjudicator's finding from a possible argument in a different case; previous tribunal decisions do not bind another adjudicator.