Hounslow Code 47 PCN Appeal (2026)

1. What does Hounslow Code 47 mean?

Code 47 concerns stopping on a restricted bus stop or stand. DfT guidance identifies the broad continuous line and the sign stating which buses may stop and when. A bus stop serves passenger activity, while a bus stand may provide a different authorised use. A coach, taxi or private-hire car should not be assumed to have the same entitlement as a local service bus.

Contravention

Code 47 concerns stopping on a restricted bus stop or stand

Category

On-Street Parking PCNs

Issuing authority

London Borough of Hounslow

Formal representation deadline

28 days beginning with service of the Notice to Owner or postal parking PCN.

Penalty and discount

£160 higher level / £110 lower level. Hounslow on-street higher- and lower-level parking PCNs, as listed in the council's current contravention-code tables.

Initial discount

The initial 50% discount applies for 14 days beginning with PCN service, or 21 days for an approved-device postal parking PCN. An early challenge may lead to a renewed discount if rejected; check the council's policy and the amount and deadline in its reply.

Appeal route

Hounslow, then London Tribunals after a formal Notice of Rejection.

2. What must Hounslow establish?

Photograph the broad line, the complete bus-stop or stand boundary and the upright plate. Under the relevant signed clearway provision, no stated time period means the restriction operates at all times.

At red-route stops, retain the line colour and full plate in the evidence. Different red-route arrangements affect taxi permissions; do not replace these details with a generic bus-stop photograph.

• The bus-stop or stand markings and relevant upright no-stopping sign must establish the restricted area, permitted buses and operating period.
• The vehicle must be stationary within that area; an overhanging part of the vehicle or load can count. A still image of a vehicle passing through does not establish a stop.
• The sign's distinction between buses and local buses, and the permitted service activity, must be respected. Bus-lane access does not automatically authorise a bus-stop stay.
• Any taxi, emergency, direction or unavoidable-stop exception must satisfy the applicable conditions. A restricted bus-stop marking can convey the prohibition without a separate traffic order.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a Hounslow Code 47 appeal

The statutory ground must match what happened. These code-specific points explain how to establish it.

A Blue Badge does not give general permission to stop in a restricted bus stop. Taxi permissions at certain red-route bus stops are specific: DfT distinguishes broad red, broad yellow and double-red arrangements. Do not transfer that limited permission to every bus stop or bus stand. Ordinary loading and passenger collection by a private car are not general exceptions.

• The vehicle did not stop within the restricted area. Compare the full recording with the bay's start and end; a still image of a moving vehicle or one in an adjacent lane may not establish the allegation.
• The no-stopping period had ended or the sign permitted the vehicle and activity. Show the complete plate, including any restriction to local buses.
• The vehicle was genuinely operating the authorised bus service and the stop met the applicable conditions. Supply the service and activity records rather than relying on the vehicle merely being a bus.
• The stop was caused by traffic, a direction or an unavoidable event, or the restriction was not adequately conveyed. Explain the complete sequence and identify the relevant exception or signing problem.
• The alleged parking contravention did not happen, including where a relevant exemption applied or the restriction was not adequately signed.
• You were not the owner at the relevant time: you never owned the vehicle, sold it before the event or acquired it afterwards.
• The vehicle was under someone else's control without the owner's consent at the time of the alleged contravention.
• You are a vehicle-hire firm and the vehicle was hired under a qualifying agreement with a signed statement accepting PCN liability. Supply the hirer's name and address.
• The authority is demanding more than the penalty legally applicable to this case.
• The authority failed to comply with a statutory requirement in imposing or recovering the penalty: a procedural impropriety.
• The traffic order relied on is invalid, except an order subject to Part 6 of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
• For a postal PCN relying on prevented service or a qualifying drive-away under regulation 10(2)(b) or (c), nobody prevented the officer from attaching or handing over the PCN. This is not the ground for an approved-device postal PCN.
• The enforcement notice should not have been served because the penalty was already paid in full, or at the valid discounted amount by the applicable deadline. Paying a parking tariff is different from paying the penalty.

4. How to make a formal representation to Hounslow

For a parking PCN attached to the vehicle or handed to the driver, send an informal challenge to Hounslow. Formal representations are made against the Notice to Owner, or directly against a postal parking PCN, within 28 days beginning with service. Respond to the formal notice even if an earlier informal challenge is unanswered.

The initial 50% discount applies for 14 days beginning with PCN service, or 21 days for an approved-device postal parking PCN. An early challenge may lead to a renewed discount if rejected; check the council's policy and the amount and deadline in its reply.

Hounslow says that if it receives a parking or moving-traffic challenge while the PCN is at the discounted rate, it will offer discounted payment again if the challenge is rejected. A subsequent tribunal appeal is considered at the full charge; the page does not specify the length of the re-offer.

• The full bus-stop or stand sign showing operating hours and permitted buses.
• Wide photographs of the broad line, marked area and vehicle position.
• The complete camera recording or officer's observation record.
• Service-operation evidence, a relevant taxi permission, or records explaining a forced stop.

1. Open Hounslow's PCN service below. Enter the PCN reference (prefix NJ) and vehicle registration to find the notice and evidence.
2. Use the council-linked Taranto portal with your NJ PCN reference and vehicle registration to review the photographs or footage and make a representation.
3. Include your email address when submitting online: Hounslow says you should receive a copy of your representation and an email receipt. Include the PCN reference, vehicle registration and the evidence you want considered; the council will not obtain evidence from third parties for you.
4. The upload guidance accepts DOC, DOCX, JPG, JPEG, PNG and PDF evidence under 8 MB. If uploading fails, Hounslow directs you to hounslow.challenges@nsl.co.uk; include the PCN reference, vehicle registration, name and address so the documents can be matched to the case.
5. Explain which part of the Code 47 allegation you dispute. Include the PCN reference, vehicle registration, your address and copies of photographs or records supporting each point.
6. Postal alternative: London Borough of Hounslow (Parking Services), PO Box 211, Sheffield, S98 1NG. Allow time for receipt before the deadline and retain proof of posting.
7. Save the full submission, attachments and dated acknowledgement.

5. How long does Hounslow have to respond?

Hounslow must serve its decision within 56 days beginning with receipt of qualifying formal representations. If it fails to comply, those representations are deemed accepted. This statutory period applies to formal representations, not an informal challenge or a request for photographs.

6. If Hounslow rejects your representation

A formal Notice of Rejection explains Hounslow's decision and how to appeal to London Tribunals. You have 28 days beginning with service of that notice to pay or register your tribunal appeal.

Compare the reply with the Code 47 grounds and evidence you submitted. Identify any unanswered point, missing evidence or inconsistency between the restriction and the recorded event. Keep the rejection notice and the appeal details supplied with it.

An informal rejection is different: formal representations can be made if a Notice to Owner follows.

7. Taking your Hounslow appeal to London Tribunals

London Tribunals is independent of Hounslow. Use the registration instructions and verification details in the Notice of Rejection, upload your evidence and explain why the alleged Code 47 contravention or liability is disputed.

There is no fee to register the appeal. If it is refused, the full penalty is normally payable; an earlier discount does not automatically continue. If registering late, explain the delay so the adjudicator can decide whether to accept the appeal.

Read Hounslow's evidence pack and respond to the points relevant to your case. Keep to the tribunal's directions and evidence deadlines.

2025 London Tribunals results: shared context

87 of 440 recorded cases were allowed (19.8%).

Full Code 47 PCN Appeal Guide

Read the detailed legislation, signage requirements, exemptions and case analysis for this contravention.