doesnt sound like you have much to stand on, unless you can find a weakness.
most local authorities have an unpublished policy of waiving the first tickets under certain circumstances, so i would certainly try and contest it. most also extend the 14 day period once you have submitted the correspondence - check with your authority just to be sure - i seem to recall this is a recent change in guidance produced by either the adjudicator or revised traffic legislation.
ultimately i think that you are not in a strong position legally to have the ticket overturned. A case used often in parking adjudication is Strong v Dawtry, where obtaining change for a parking meter was addressed and the 'reasonable' nature of obtaining change. This case ruled that in relation to a meter bay, a reasonable time to pay is restricted to "such reasonable time as is involved in getting out of the driving seat and putting the coin into the meter." This time does not, unfortunately for you, extend to time spent in getting change. also see Riley v Hunt, on related circumstances.
if you are minded send them a freedom of information request, some questions are included below. this shouldnt cost anything and may give you evidence on which to contest the ticket.
1. PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THE FULL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ORDER (NOT A SUMMARY) WHICH IS VITAL TO OUR APPEAL We dispute the validity of your Traffic Management Order -please therefore send a copy of the full traffic management order (NOT A SUMMARY) that you claim relates to the alleged contravention and which is vital to our appeal.
2. IF YOU DO NOT SEND THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ORDER WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU AGREE THAT IT IS INVALID AND SO ADVISE THE PARKING ADJUDICATOR IF APPRPRIATE. (Note: Any reference in this appeal to a “TMO” is a reference to a Traffic Management Order.)
3. The council’s full protocols covering the issue of PCNs on the alleged contravention above (see note below)
4. Please let me have a copy of the CEO's note book (see above) for the day of the alleged contravention showing the entry(ies) for the alleged contravention.
5. All photographic evidence you have in relation to the alleged contravention. Including inter alia a photograph of the vehicle on the date and at the time of the alleged contravention such photograph showing the vehicle, lines and signage together.
6. Please explain precisely how you synchronise the time on your CEOs’ cameras with
a. their handheld computers and
b. your pay display machines
7. Confirmation whether or not the CEO is still employed by the council or contractor.
8. If not the reason for the CEO leaving employment.
9. The penalty charge notice was issued by a CEO who we believe was not employed by the authority but by a third party, sub contractor. As the onus is on the authority to prove that the CEO was authorised to issue the penalty charge notice please send us a copy of the full contract appointing the subcontractor and a copy of the employment contract between the CEO and the subcontractor or if employed by the council his/her employment contract.
10. Please indicate in your response whether this appeal has been considered by one of your employees (i.e. a person directly employed by you and paid by you), or by someone who is employed by a contractor.
also ask for a full copy of the contract in electronic form, advising them to justify any information they deem exempt from disclosure fully with reference to exemptions and where relevant their full public interest test considerations.
Statutory guidance linky below, if any of this has not been followed you may have grounds to appeal.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/...tutoryguid.pdf
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