London congestion charge fine

[matthias73]

Hello all.

I drove to London a few months ago for some work stuff. Tried to pay the congestion charge online whilst in London and the website wasn't playing ball. No drama I thought, I'll pay tomorrow.

Tried to pay again the next day, same problem.

I attempted to phone three times in the subsequent few days, however I was left hanging on the phone for what I considered to be an unreasonable length of time.

I assumed there would be some sort of follow up letter and I'll be able explain the situation that way. I was rather busy with work and stopped worrying about it.

I since got a letter with a fine, so I sent off a representation along with a screenshot of the technical issue explaining I would like to pay the original congestion charge and I'd made a reasonable attempt to pay in the first place.

I've now got a letter staying that they acknowledge my evidence but are discounting it because apparently there were no such technical problems on the two days when I could have paid and now I need to pay the fine. This is despite there clearly being a photo of their websit saying "Ooops, something's gone wrong" (or words to that effect)

I don't particularly want to just suck this one up, I don't see anyone being at fault here and the reasonable course of action is that I get to pay the congestion charge like I wanted to the whole time without being penalised for it.

I have two individual screenshots if that helps matters.

Any advice on who is best to get in touch with is gratefully received.

[matthias73]

Aye maybe

Spending an hour on the phone altogether and not getting through to anyone is what I'd call unreasonable. Certainly I could have done more, but where do you draw the line.

Anyway, it's all very well and good berating me but that doesn't get anyone anywhere, does it?

[matthias73]

I have a few, I think they are the right ones.

I'm afraid getting out of the car and paying in a shop wasn't an option. I was looking after some rather important flags.

[matthias73]

Mine was around the 14th of October.

Thank you for that. Are you suggesting I pay now and attempt to recoup the money later?
It's currently at well over a hundred pounds which is a rather painful figure.