Hillingdon Code 32 PCN Appeal: Blue Direction Signs (2026)

1. What does a Hillingdon Code 32 PCN mean?

Hillingdon alleges that your vehicle did not follow a blue direction arrow: for example, turning at an ahead-only junction or travelling against the signed direction. The council lists Code 32 among its CCTV-enforced contraventions. The important evidence is the instruction facing your approach and your vehicle's movement.

All three Hillingdon decisions in the 2025 subset below concern Bentinck Road. The allowed decision discusses a rectangular one-way sign, diagram 652, rather than the circular signs illustrated here. Read the actual sign and allegation together; the cases do not establish today's signing at that road.

Contravention

Code 32: failing to proceed in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign

Authority

London Borough of Hillingdon

Variants

32d: proceeding in the wrong direction; 32t: turning in the wrong direction

Evidence

The full CCTV sequence, the vehicle's approach and the sign facing that approach

Current penalty

£160; £80 during the initial 14-day period beginning with the PCN date. Check the discount date on your notice.

Representation deadline

Received within 28 days of PCN service

Appeal route

Formal representations to Hillingdon; London Tribunals after a Notice of Rejection

2. What must Hillingdon establish?

The circular blue signs below give mandatory directions. Diagram 606 has a straight arrow pointing ahead, left or right; diagram 609 has a bent arrow requiring a turn ahead. A diagonal keep-left or keep-right arrow is a different restriction. A rectangular one-way arrow is also distinct.

Hillingdon must establish the applicable restriction, adequate signing for your approach and a movement that contravened it. A clear ahead-only instruction does not need an additional no-right-turn sign.

• Match the PCN's location and direction to the full recording, including where the vehicle approached or joined the road.
• Check the relevant sign face and its visibility at the time. A photograph from another approach may not establish what this driver could see.
• Where an order or other legal instrument is relied on, check its location, direction and any exceptions against the allegation.
• Apply the correct rules to the actual sign installation. Standalone arrows and arrows attached to signals have different provisions; there is no universal two-sign or lighting requirement.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a Hillingdon Code 32 appeal

The Bentinck Road decisions draw an important distinction: a missing link in the evidence about the signed approach can defeat an allegation, while an explanation for knowingly driving against the direction may be mitigation only.

• The alleged movement is not proved: identify the relevant CCTV frames and explain what is missing or inconsistent.
• The restriction was not adequately conveyed from your approach: provide dated approach photographs, dashcam evidence or a route plan. In the allowed local case, the evidence did not establish that the vehicle had passed a one-way indication; the adjudicator did not find that every sign at the location was absent.
• An applicable exception or permission covers the journey: identify the actual vehicle-class exception, order provision or permission and attach proof. A Blue Badge, local residence or delivery does not itself override a mandatory arrow.
• The notice or liability is wrong: explain the specific defect, or supply evidence supporting a relevant ownership, without-consent or qualifying-hire ground.
• Mitigation: explain road closures or exceptional circumstances to Hillingdon and ask it to exercise discretion. In both refused local cases, the adjudicator found the explanation did not establish a legal basis for cancellation.

4. How to make a formal representation to Hillingdon

Use Hillingdon's official APCOA portal with your PCN number, beginning HN followed by eight characters, and vehicle registration. London Tribunals says representations must reach the authority "within 28 days of the date the Penalty Charge Notice is served".

The current moving-traffic penalty is £160, reduced to £80 during the initial 14 days beginning with the PCN date. Check the payment date on your notice and any later written offer; a renewed discount is not guaranteed by making representations.

1. Open the evidence using the PCN and registration details. Review the complete recording; request any missing footage or approach photographs.
2. Submit a formal representation identifying the disputed arrow, approach and movement. Attach relevant frames, photographs, a route plan or exemption documents. An evidence request alone is not a representation.
3. Alternatively, send the representation, PCN reference, vehicle registration and contact details to Hillingdon Council, Parking Services, PO Box 5824, Dingwall, IV15 0BH, checking the address on your current notice. Allow time for delivery.
4. Keep the submitted text, attachments and dated confirmation. For post, retain proof of posting and allow for receipt within the deadline.

5. When should Hillingdon respond?

London Tribunals says the authority "should normally respond to representations within 3 months".

6. Rejection and appeal to London Tribunals

Check whether the Notice of Rejection addresses your approach, the relevant sign and any claimed exception. You have 28 days beginning with service of that notice to pay or appeal to London Tribunals, using the rejection's appeal instructions and verification details.

Include your grounds and evidence, then review Hillingdon's tribunal evidence and respond to any disputed photographs or missing part of the route. The adjudicator decides the legal appeal and cannot cancel for mitigation alone. If the appeal is refused, the full penalty is normally payable; do not assume an earlier discount remains available.

2025 Hillingdon Code 32 tribunal decisions

1 of 3 recorded cases were allowed (33.3%).

8. Read the full Code 32 guide

For the full explanation of mandatory arrows, signal-mounted signs, conditional requirements and the different enforcement schemes, read the general guide.