Bus Lane Penalty Charge Notice

skyjumper

starla,

I'm not quite sure if i'm too late for a reply to you question. as most of them said, Get on to the forums at https://www.pepipoo.com and get some helpful advice.

but I also want to recommend that if you ring up the Council helpline no. which will be in the penalty notice and explain your situation- you being there for the first time and kinda lost, and when you found out that you were on the bus lane- you moved from it as soon as you could, and also mention that at any point you were not blocking any buses whilst you were there. I know it doesn't make much sense, but one of my friend did this in a town in North of England and the council waived him the penalty. In his case, he did write to them and sent it by recorded delivery. I hope this info helps and hope it's not too late for my reply

Brian_Bullocks

*starla* wrote: »

Basically I went to Sheffield last Saturday (I live in York) and drove into the centre, using a sat nav. I don't know Sheffield really so was depending on the sat nav which kept trying to send us down one way streets, turn ways that we couldn't due to restrictions etc.

You need to update the maps on your sat nav.

chigley

Why not sue the sat nav manufacturer, or maybe the US government, who control the satellites that they use, I mean, no one is responsible for anything these days are they.......

*starla*

Thanks for all your responses, mostly helpful, some not so helpful (yes I am aware that bus lanes are for buses, no I am not going to sue the sat nav company, and no I don't think that using a sat nav when visiting a city centre that I don't know merits banning me from driving).

Anyway, I rang Sheffield City Council today. They didn't give a phone number on the notice so I found it on their website. The lady there said I could appeal that it was an honest mistake in writing and if the appeal was rejected I would then get another 14 days to pay at half the fine. I did ask if she thought my situation was actually worth appealing for but she said she has nothing to do with the appeals and I might as well as I have nothing to lose. Apparently they have a bit of a backlog so it might be the other side of Christmas before I end up needing to pay it.

If I do have to pay it I will be doing so on my Egg money card to get myself 30p cashback, which I may use to treat myself to a Wham bar, a Freddo and a Chomp.

I'm going to write a letter tonight and send it recorded delivery, I'm guessing the best way is to be polite rather than stroppy. And I'm gonna use my letters, ACMA, which will probably make absolutely no difference but you never know, some council official somewhere may be swayed by thinking that as an accountant I must be a responsible citizen.... well I never get to use them for much else so may as well roll them out now and again!

I'm still expecting to have to pay for it but it's all worth a go.....

Ooh and the sat nav isn't mine, I only tend to try and borrow one if I'm going to a city that I don't know as I always find that city centres are so easy to get completely lost in, but I shall pass on the message that it needs updating!

chigley

Good luck then, nothing ventured etc.......

sarahg1969

OP - have you posted on pepipoo for some advice? It's not just a matter of the council saying you MUST pay. They have to have their signs, road markings, TRO and paperwork in order for the notice to be enforceable.

The members on pepipoo will be able to advise you properly. The council want your money.

mrcol1000

Conor wrote: »

If you can't keep your car in a lane without drifting over a line, you're not fit to drive. If it were up to me, everyone who came up with that line as a defence would find their driving licence suspended on the grounds of incompetence and be told to take a driving test to get it back.

So whats the difference between people who can't keep in a lane and people who can't park in NCP car parks without overstaying their welcome?

robt_2

mrcol1000 wrote: »

So whats the difference between people who can't keep in a lane and people who can't park in NCP car parks without overstaying their welcome?

The difference is about 30mph.

cwcw

Did your claim against it get accepted or did you ended up paying it?

I am from Sheffield but got caught out today in the Wicker area where they have changed all the roads around and put cameras everywhere and I found myself going through a bus gate - when I realised it was too late so I just went through. BTW, I don't want any smug replies from those people who never find themselves lost, panicking and going somewhere they don't intend to go, and/or are oh so perfect they've never even had a quarter of a tyre on the edge of a bus lane. Nor do I want any smug criticism saying I shouldn't be on the road, when I've been driving for 10 years without making a single claim, during what should be my most dangerous period.

I am expecting a £30 fine too unfortunately. Does anyone know if it affects insurance? Does the penalty have an offence code? A £30 fine doesn't bother me - it's a lesson learned to avoid the Wicker area altogether in future, as I normally manage to. It's the risk to my insurance policy that bothers me more - e.g. paying £50 extra each and every year for 5 years if I declare it.

Bob63

Bristol is a place to avoid for naughty bus lane users as police are currently having a crackdown - http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/NewsDetails.aspx?nsid=15210&t=4&lid=0

As a bikers, and therefore a legal bus lane users in Bristol, I find it really annoying when cars deliberately use our lane. IMHO there can be few excuses - although I fully support anyone who can get off on a technicality if the council are numpty enough to ignore signposting regulations etc.