This section explains what a Penalty Charge Notice ( PCN ) is, why it has been issued and what options you have.

Motorists who ignore or fail to comply with any parking restrictions or Traffic Regulation Orders (indicated by pay and display meters, signs and road markings in the highway) may be issued with a PCN by a Civil Enforcement Officer.

If a PCN is served you may ask the Civil Enforcement Officer for an explanation. If you feel a ticket has been wrongly served, Civil Enforcement Officer's will record your comments in their pocket books. A Civil Enforcement Officer has no authority to cancel or 'tear up' a PCN once it has been printed/served.

Other than independent parking adjudicators, only designated specialist Parking Services team members have the authority to investigate and uphold or cancel a PCN.

The Parking Services team investigate, consider and answer any challenges made about a PCN, once it has been served. They are highly trained and operate within well defined guidelines; they consider each challenge on it's own merits and are able to exercise discretionary powers in certain circumstances.

The cost of a PCN is either £50 or £70 in Gateshead, depending on whether the parking contravention attracts a lower or higher penalty charge. Payments made no later than the last day of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which the PCN is served will have a 50% discount applied i.e. £25/£35. These charges are agreed by the Secretary of State for Transport, not set arbitrarily by Gateshead Council.

IMPORTANT

• Do not ignore your PCN or any associated correspondence.
• Do challenge your PCN if you feel it has been wrongly served.

Using the menu on the left you can find out how to pay your PCN , what happens if you don't pay your PCN  and how to appeal.