Wandsworth Code 36 PCN Appeal (2026)

1. What does Wandsworth Code 36 mean?

Code 36 means that your vehicle is alleged to have been in a mandatory cycle lane when it was not entitled to be there. A mandatory lane forms part of the carriageway and is separated from other traffic by a continuous white line. With-flow cyclists travel in the same direction as the adjacent traffic; a contraflow lane carries cyclists against that traffic direction.

An advisory cycle lane has a broken boundary and different rules. A cycle track is physically protected or separate from the motor carriageway. A bicycle symbol or coloured surface alone does not establish which restriction applies. Read the allegation and check the actual layout where the vehicle entered.

For Code 36, a brief entry can matter even if no cyclist was present and the vehicle did not park. The full movement and any applicable exception must still be considered.

Contravention

Code 36: being in a mandatory cycle lane

Issuing authority

London Borough of Wandsworth

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

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

2. What must Wandsworth establish?

The authority needs to establish the restriction, the vehicle's movement within it and liability for the notice. The sign photographs, boundary and CCTV should relate to the same approach and date.

For a mandatory with-flow lane, diagram 959.1 is the blue rectangular sign showing a white bicycle and a vertical white boundary line. The solid road marking is diagram 1049B. Read any operating-time panel; if that panel is omitted, the lane operates at all times.

The advance sign, diagram 958.1, shows a diagonal approach to the lane. It is different from the sign identifying the lane itself. An advisory route sign, diagram 967, shows a bicycle without the mandatory lane's boundary graphic. Circular cycle-route or shared-use signs concern a different arrangement and are not interchangeable with a with-flow lane sign.

Check the precise road section. A mandatory lane may change to a broken-line advisory section at a side road, then resume beyond it. Green or red surfacing is not what creates the restriction. A contraflow layout needs its own one-way and cycle-lane signing.

• Mandatory lane, not another facility: identify the solid boundary and the part of the carriageway reserved for cycles. Distinguish a broken-line section, separate track or cycle waiting area at traffic lights.
• Operating period: compare the CCTV timestamp with the time panel and the legal restriction. A missing time panel on diagram 959.1 normally means continuous operation, not that the restriction is inactive.
• Legal basis: a mandatory with-flow lane can be provided without a traffic order. If the PCN relies on a traffic management order, its operative provisions must cover the lane and movement alleged. A mandatory contraflow lane requires an order.
• Complete movement: examine where the vehicle crossed the boundary and what happened next. A recording ending at the apparent stop may not resolve an explanation that the vehicle was turning into adjacent premises.
• Adequate signs and markings: assess visibility from the approach and the condition of the boundary. Reflectorisation and sign illumination have their own rules; there is no universal requirement for two upright signs or direct lighting on every cycle-lane sign.
• Correct vehicle and person: check the registration and vehicle appearance, owner or hire records and any evidence that the number plate was cloned.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a Wandsworth Code 36 appeal

Explain the specific problem in the allegation and support it with the recording, photographs or documents. The absence of cyclists, a short stay or a passenger pickup does not by itself establish a ground for cancellation.

For a mandatory with-flow lane governed by TSRGD Schedule 9 paragraph 12, crossing into the lane or straddling its boundary can be permitted where it is safe and necessary: to pass a stationary vehicle, enter adjacent land or premises or a joining road from the same side, because of circumstances outside the driver's control, to avoid an accident, or to comply with a uniformed constable's or traffic warden's direction.

These are limited exceptions, not permission to drive along the lane to avoid a queue or wait there while a destination becomes available. A driveway explanation needs the complete manoeuvre and evidence of the destination. Give way to cyclists, including those approaching from behind, before crossing.

The regulations also identify particular emergency-service uses with conditions. A private car making way for an ambulance is not itself an ambulance: explain why the actual movement was necessary and provide the supporting sequence. Where an order is the basis of enforcement, check its own wording rather than assuming an exception applies.

A private-hire licence, passenger pickup, delivery or Blue Badge does not create a general cycle-lane permission. If your circumstances support a request for discretion rather than a legal exception, explain them clearly to the authority.

• The vehicle was not in the mandatory section: identify its position against the actual solid boundary, including any change to advisory markings at a junction.
• The restriction was not operating: provide the applicable sign times, recorded time and relevant order provision where an order is relied upon.
• The movement was covered by an exception: show why crossing or straddling a with-flow boundary was safe and necessary, and identify the applicable provision. For contraflow lanes, check the operative order's exceptions.
• The evidence is incomplete: specify the missing seconds, approach, sign view or onward manoeuvre needed to test your explanation.
• The signs did not adequately convey the lane restriction: use dated approach photographs and evidence of the relevant boundary, rather than relying only on missing coloured surfacing.
• The PCN concerns a different or cloned vehicle, or you were not the liable owner: provide vehicle differences, police confirmation or the relevant dated ownership and qualifying-hire documents.

4. How to make a formal representation to Wandsworth

Send formal representations to Wandsworth within 28 days beginning with service of the Code 36 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 Wandsworth's PCN service below. Enter the PCN reference and vehicle registration to find the notice and evidence.
2. Use the PCN number and vehicle registration to view evidence or start a challenge. Do not pay if you intend to challenge, because Wandsworth says payment closes the case.
3. Prepare up to four supporting files, no larger than 10MB each and 23MB in total. Accepted formats include DOC, DOCX, JPEG, PDF, PPT and open document formats.
4. For moving-traffic PCNs, Wandsworth directs the registered keeper to make a formal representation on receipt of the PCN. There is no informal representation stage for moving traffic.
5. Explain which part of the Code 36 allegation you dispute. Include the PCN reference, vehicle registration, your address and copies of photographs or records supporting each point.
6. Save the full submission, attachments and dated acknowledgement.

5. How long does Wandsworth have to respond?

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

6. If Wandsworth rejects your representation

A formal Notice of Rejection explains Wandsworth'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 36 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 Wandsworth appeal to London Tribunals

London Tribunals is independent of Wandsworth. Use the registration instructions and verification details in the Notice of Rejection, upload your evidence and explain why the alleged Code 36 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 Wandsworth'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

2 of 7 recorded cases were allowed (28.6%).

Full Code 36 PCN Appeal Guide

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