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proceduralUK · England & WalesDifficulty: moderate

School Keep-Clear Zig-Zags With No Upright Sign Are Advisory Only

The yellow 'SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR' zig-zag marking on its own is only advisory — the law says that without an accompanying upright no-stopping sign it merely 'indicates a part of the carriageway outside an entrance where vehicles should not stop'. It only becomes a legal prohibition, enforceable by a code 48 PCN, when an upright sign with the no-stopping symbol is placed in conjunction with it (or where a separate traffic order covers the spot).

Legal basis

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (SI 2016/362), Schedule 7 Part 6 paragraphs 2 and 3 — marking at Part 4 item 10 (diagram 1027.1) is advisory without, and prohibitory only with, an upright sign including the symbol at item 10 of the sign table in Part 3 of Schedule 4

How to identify this in your case

Return to the school entrance and look for an upright yellow no-stopping sign on a post beside the zig-zags (typically 'No stopping' with times, the school-specific plate). Photograph the whole length of the zig-zag marking from both directions showing the absence of any such sign, plus where your car stood. If the council's response relies on a traffic order instead of a sign, ask them to produce it — many school markings have neither.

Sample appeal wording

Before you send this

Deadline. A late submission can be turned down without your argument being read. Check your notice for the deadline and how it is counted.
Paying may end it. Paying can count as accepting the notice and can close a challenge already under way. Part-paying or acknowledging an old debt can also revive a time limit that had expired.
The amount can change. Check what happens to the sum if you challenge — it may be held, re-offered lower, or keep rising, and fees or enforcement can continue meanwhile.
Use the official route. Use the method, recipient and form your notice specifies, with any reference, evidence and signature it asks for. Sent elsewhere, it may not count.
Only say what is true. Do not copy any statement of fact unless it is true for you, and check the legal point still applies. Delete what does not fit. It may be treated as your statement.
Careful what you volunteer. Avoid unnecessary admissions — naming the driver or accepting responsibility can remove arguments. But answer anything you are legally required to answer, and do include the evidence your ground needs.
Keep the record. Keep what you sent, the attachments, any receipt, and the reply. Note the next deadline.

Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at.

I am appealing this penalty charge issued under contravention code 48. Under Schedule 7 Part 6 paragraph 2 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, the 'SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR' road marking, when not placed in conjunction with an upright sign including the prescribed no-stopping symbol, merely indicates a part of the carriageway where vehicles should not stop — it conveys no prohibition. At this location there was no such upright sign in conjunction with the marking, as my enclosed photographs show. I therefore put the authority to strict proof either that a compliant upright sign was in place at the date of the alleged contravention, or that a traffic regulation order prohibiting stopping at this location was in force and adequately signed. Absent such proof, no contravention occurred and I ask that the penalty charge be cancelled.

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School Keep-Clear Zig-Zags With No Upright Sign Are Advisory Only

Legal basis

How to identify this in your case

Sample appeal wording

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Sources

Related appeal grounds

Next steps