The lorry pictogram did not exclude a smaller van (2026)

Case 2250158460 / 2025-07-28 / Adjudicator Louise Fisher

ROTHERHITHE TUNNEL APPROACH / BRANCH ROAD

“this misled them into thinking the restriction did not apply to their van.”

Louise Fisher

The appellant had bought the vehicle earlier that year and did not realise it exceeded the tunnel's weight limit. He remembered seeing a lorry picture on a sign and assumed the restriction did not apply to his van. He described the journey as a one-off mistake and said he now understood the restriction.

TfL supplied photographs of the vehicle and evidence of entrance and advance warning signs. Its DVLA evidence recorded an N1 goods vehicle with a revenue weight of 2625 kg. Louise Fisher accepted that maximum gross weight remained the relevant figure whether the vehicle was empty or full.

Fisher found the contravention proved. The appellant had produced no evidence, such as dated photographs, showing the required signs were missing or not visible on the relevant date. His explanation amounted to mitigation rather than a ground of appeal, so the appeal was refused. The sign's lorry image did not establish a van exemption.

Source and case reference

Use case reference 2250158460 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.