Tower Hamlets Code 33 PCN Appeal (2026)

1. What does Tower Hamlets Code 33 mean?

Code 33 means that your vehicle is alleged to have used a route reserved for other types of vehicle. A bus gate is a short restricted stretch of road, often at a junction or between traffic islands. It may admit buses and cycles, or other classes shown on the signs.

Read the complete description and suffix on the PCN. The key question is whether your vehicle was entitled to use the particular route at that time. Driving through the gate can establish the allegation even when the road is empty; the vehicle does not have to stop or obstruct a bus.

Contravention

Code 33: using a route restricted to certain vehicles

Issuing authority

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Formal representation deadline

28 days beginning with service of the PCN.

Penalty and discount

Use the charge and discount printed on your PCN; the applicable amount depends on the notice and contravention date.

Initial discount

The initial 50% discount applies during the first 14 days beginning with the date of the PCN. A challenge does not automatically extend that period. Check the council's policy and any renewed offer in its reply.

Appeal route

Tower Hamlets, then London Tribunals after a formal Notice of Rejection.

2. What must Tower Hamlets establish?

The CCTV, sign evidence and legal restriction need to establish the same route, direction, time and vehicle class. A photograph from the opposite approach or before a sign was changed may leave an important gap.

The Highway Code shows buses-and-cycles-only and trams-only signs within its blue-circle instructions. For a bus gate, diagram 953 in TSRGD 2016, Schedule 3 Part 2 item 33, is the usual starting point. The symbols and wording specify the permitted vehicles.

Diagram 953 can include a cycle symbol and the word 'taxi'; either can be omitted where appropriate. The bus symbol may specify local buses. Diagrams 953A and 953B include solo motorcycles, while the 953.1 series covers tram routes and permitted combinations. Match the sign actually displayed to the allegation.

Read any supplementary plate for operating times or authorised vehicles. The sign and its plate must communicate the same restriction as the legal provisions applying to that route. The BUS GATE road marking is optional supporting information, not a replacement for the upright sign.

• Restriction and legal basis: the relevant order or other legal instrument must cover the road length, direction and operating period alleged. Check the operative article, schedule or map and any amendments.
• Sign placement: TSRGD Schedule 3 Part 5 direction 1 requires the terminal sign to be as near as practicable to where the restriction starts. Traffic Signs Manual paragraph 9.7.2 explains visibility before a driver commits to the turn. The layout determines whether one or two signs adequately inform approaching traffic.
• Visibility at the time: compare dated approach photographs with the recording. Check signs hidden by foliage, vehicles or street furniture, turned away from traffic, or showing an unreadable time plate.
• Night-time lighting: Schedule 3 Part 4 paragraph 4 applies to these signs. On roads above 20 mph within 50 metres of qualifying street lighting, its direct-lighting requirements apply subject to the stated conditions and exceptions.
• Vehicle and movement: the recording must identify the vehicle and show it using the restricted route during its operating period. Check which side of an island or which entry point the vehicle passed.
• Liability and notice: the PCN must identify the allegation and be addressed to the person liable under the applicable owner or hire provisions.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a Tower Hamlets Code 33 appeal

Choose the ground that matches the problem in the evidence. Explain what happened on this approach and attach material that demonstrates the point.

The permitted classes depend on the actual sign. A bus-and-cycle gate does not necessarily admit taxis, and a taxi permission does not automatically include a private-hire vehicle. For a claimed permission, identify the relevant vehicle definition and provide the licence or authorisation that supports it.

Where authorised vehicles may enter, check that the permission covered your vehicle, the particular gate and the journey date. For access, loading, emergency or other exceptions, identify the applicable provision and provide the destination, purpose and supporting record.

A delivery, nearby address, Blue Badge or satnav instruction is not itself permission to pass every blue route sign. If the circumstances call for discretion rather than a legal exception, explain them to the authority with evidence.

Separate gates on the same road may create separate restrictions. Where two notices concern a single passage, show the entry, available exit and intervening signs. The tribunal examples below illustrate why that sequence needs to be established.

• The vehicle or journey was permitted: identify the vehicle class, valid authorisation or exception and its conditions.
• The restriction was not operating: compare the recorded time and date with the sign plate and operative order.
• The signs did not adequately convey the restriction: provide the driver's approach, visibility and decision point, supported by dated photographs or footage.
• The evidence does not establish the restricted route: identify a wrong approach, missing sign evidence, outdated photographs or an order schedule that does not cover the alleged location.
• Two PCNs concern one continuous passage: provide both notices, recordings and the route between them so the authority can address whether distinct contraventions occurred.
• You were not the liable owner or the vehicle was on a qualifying hire: provide the relevant dated documents and signed liability information.

4. How to make a formal representation to Tower Hamlets

Send formal representations to Tower Hamlets within 28 days beginning with service of the Code 33 PCN. Explain the ground relied upon and attach the evidence supporting it.

The initial 50% discount applies during the first 14 days beginning with the date of the PCN. A challenge does not automatically extend that period. Check the council's policy and any renewed offer in its reply.

1. Open Tower Hamlets's PCN service below. Enter the PCN reference (prefix TT) and vehicle registration to find the notice and evidence.
2. Enter the TT PCN reference and vehicle registration. A formal representation requires the webcode at the top right of the notice; an informal challenge does not.
3. A postal moving-traffic PCN uses the formal representation route.
4. Include your full name and postal address, including for an online challenge, because Tower Hamlets sends its responses by post. Explain your reasons and include supporting evidence.
5. Submit a separate challenge for each PCN number; do not combine several PCNs in one appeal. The council recommends a laptop or desktop, rather than a phone or tablet, for viewing its footage and images.
6. Explain which part of the Code 33 allegation you dispute. Include the PCN reference, vehicle registration, your address and copies of photographs or records supporting each point.
7. Postal alternative: Parking, Mobility & Transport Services, PO Box 14790, London, E14 2WA. Allow time for receipt before the deadline and retain proof of posting.
8. Save the full submission, attachments and dated acknowledgement.

5. How long does Tower Hamlets have to respond?

London Tribunals says the authority "should normally respond to representations within 3 months". Keep Tower Hamlets's acknowledgement and the date your representations were received.

6. If Tower Hamlets rejects your representation

A formal Notice of Rejection explains Tower Hamlets'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 33 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.

7. Taking your Tower Hamlets appeal to London Tribunals

London Tribunals is independent of Tower Hamlets. Use the registration instructions and verification details in the Notice of Rejection, upload your evidence and explain why the alleged Code 33 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 Tower Hamlets'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

105 of 667 recorded cases were allowed (15.7%).

Full Code 33 PCN Appeal Guide

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