Bus lane contravention penalty charge

dude_1

Hi

A frined a mine wants to know has anyone ever had a alleged bus lane contravention penalty charge? if so he would like some help and advise, can this be disputed, does this have to paid asap etc etc?

Sstripey

dude_1 wrote: »

Hi

A frined a mine wants to know has anyone ever had a alleged bus lane contravention penalty charge? if so he would like some help and advise, can this be disputed, does this have to paid asap etc etc?

I was clobbered by one in Reading as a result of poor signage for the station car parks, which resulted in my being in a buses only section for about 30 seconds.
A week or so later I received the nasty letter, which said it would cost £60, but if I paid quickly it would be only £30. It did set out the accepted reasons for appeal, which did not include my claim, that the signs for the car park had suggested that I could go straight ahead at one point, which happened to take me into the bus area, which itself was hard to spot.
I paid the £30 but under protest, and lodged an appeal. Predictably, it was thrown out.

the only amusing bit about it all was that the letter provided a link to a video of my car in the alleged wrong place - you would have been hard pressed to identify it from there. If your friend knows he went into the lane, and if there is video or photo evidence then I wouldn't think he stands much chance. If there's a "cheap" pay-early option, then go for that.

peter_the_piper

Get him to post on pepipoo.com. He will need location, dates etc. Get him to picture both sides of the pcn, also have a google street view available, pics of any signs. remove personal bits from pcn pics. See their stickies for how to post the pics.

muckybutt

Sstripey wrote: »

I paid the £30 but under protest, and lodged an appeal. Predictably, it was thrown out.

So you paid the fine and lodged an appeal ? that isnt how the system works.

When you pay the fine you have admitted liability....end of there is then no appeal, if you thought you had a chance then you should have appealed - most tickets are are successful at appeal.

On another bus lane appeal note some take ages to get the decision on, I am currently waiting on an appeal I submitted for a family member, the hearing was over a month ago but there were that many heard that day the traffic tribunal service hasnt got aroung to doing them all yet.

steve-L

Sstripey wrote: »

I was clobbered by one in Reading as a result of poor signage for the station car parks, which resulted in my being in a buses only section for about 30 seconds.
A week or so later I received the nasty letter, which said it would cost £60, but if I paid quickly it would be only £30. It did set out the accepted reasons for appeal, which did not include my claim, that the signs for the car park had suggested that I could go straight ahead at one point, which happened to take me into the bus area, which itself was hard to spot.
I paid the £30 but under protest, and lodged an appeal. Predictably, it was thrown out.

the only amusing bit about it all was that the letter provided a link to a video of my car in the alleged wrong place - you would have been hard pressed to identify it from there. If your friend knows he went into the lane, and if there is video or photo evidence then I wouldn't think he stands much chance. If there's a "cheap" pay-early option, then go for that.

Same place as me then!
I checked into this at the time and there is not even a requirement they put up clear signs of a bus-lane, just 'designate it a bus lane' (whatever that means)....
I was totally baffled at the time just trying to find my way out of central reading... following the signs .... however, like you say, what can you do?

dude_1

he said its an act (transport act 2000), he said this only applies when one gives consent?

peter_the_piper

Yes signs must be there, do they expect you to read minds?

As for "only if he gives consent" what is this all about?

sarahg1969

Also very important to keep the envelope. One council had a habit of posting the notices the day after the 'date of service'.

Sstripey

muckybutt wrote: »

So you paid the fine and lodged an appeal ? that isnt how the system works.

When you pay the fine you have admitted liability....end of there is then no appeal, if you thought you had a chance then you should have appealed - most tickets are are successful at appeal.

Thanks for the advice. The system is unhelpful, to say the least, as the appeal I wanted make wasn't listed. Furthermore, the timeframe wasn't on my side, as if I lost the appeal, I was going to be stung for £60 rather £30. Between a rock and a hard place on this one.

rev_henry

dude_1 wrote: »

he said its an act (transport act 2000), he said this only applies when one gives consent?

Ohh he's not on about that Freeman on the Land nonsense is he?!

peter_the_piper

rev_henry wrote: »

Ohh he's not on about that Freeman on the Land nonsense is he?!

That's what I was wondering, If he says this on pepipoo they will put him straight very quickly.