Bus Gate Fine

Car_54

Advocado said:

There was an article about this in the news a few years ago.  I'm sure the woman got off the fine because the term "bus gate" wasn't in the highway code.

The only mention of "bus gate" (at least in the example above) is on the road, and is really irrelevant as it's not an enforceable marking. What matters is the sign, which clearly shows only buses, bikes and taxis allowed. Failure to comply is an offence.

born_again

Deleted_User said:

Yep another example of councils inventing their own road markings. Seen something the other week while driving through Leeds about a 2+ lane. Never seen that in the highway code neither.

Needless to say I ignored it and no fine has come through the post. It was 3 weeks ago.

Opps...
142
High-occupancy vehicle lanes and other designated vehicle lanes. Lanes may be restricted for use by particular types of vehicle; these restrictions may apply some or all of the time. The operating times and vehicle types will be indicated on the accompanying traffic signs. You MUST NOT drive in such lanes during their times of operation unless signs indicate that your vehicle is permitted.

2+ is very clear in what it means. Can you not understand the signs?

[Deleted User]

born_again said:

Deleted_User said:

Yep another example of councils inventing their own road markings. Seen something the other week while driving through Leeds about a 2+ lane. Never seen that in the highway code neither.

Needless to say I ignored it and no fine has come through the post. It was 3 weeks ago.

Opps...
142
High-occupancy vehicle lanes and other designated vehicle lanes. Lanes may be restricted for use by particular types of vehicle; these restrictions may apply some or all of the time. The operating times and vehicle types will be indicated on the accompanying traffic signs. You MUST NOT drive in such lanes during their times of operation unless signs indicate that your vehicle is permitted.

2+ is very clear in what it means. Can you not understand the signs?

Calm yourself down boy. When did I say I did not understand the sign?

clg86

Thanks everybody. I do intend to pay, and I wasn’t trying to blame the satnav - I know it’s my responsibility to be aware of where I’m driving. 

I just wanted to know if Bus Gates were worth appealing as from what I remember I entered onto it from a side street and therefore (and I take full responsibility) must have missed the little blue circle sign. Yes there’s huge writing on the ground but until you’re on top of it it’s not obvious at all that it’s that kind of lane, plus as I’m not from the area I’ve never even heard of a bus gate and it most definitely isn’t in the Highway Code!

I’m not disputing the fact I drive down a bus gate, I clearly did, it was just a shock to receive it as unless you are from an area that uses them (and there’s only a small handful) are you expected to know what the rules are if you happen to find yourself on one?

AdrianC

clg86 said:

Thanks everybody. I do intend to pay, and I wasn’t trying to blame the satnav - I know it’s my responsibility to be aware of where I’m driving. 

I just wanted to know if Bus Gates were worth appealing as from what I remember I entered onto it from a side street and therefore (and I take full responsibility) must have missed the little blue circle sign. Yes there’s huge writing on the ground but until you’re on top of it it’s not obvious at all that it’s that kind of lane, plus as I’m not from the area I’ve never even heard of a bus gate and it most definitely isn’t in the Highway Code!

I’m not disputing the fact I drive down a bus gate, I clearly did, it was just a shock to receive it as unless you are from an area that uses them (and there’s only a small handful) are you expected to know what the rules are if you happen to find yourself on one?

Do you need to "know the rules"?

There's a sign that says buses and taxis only.
There's CCTV enforcement.
There's BUS + <something> on the road - you're clearly familiar with BUS LANE, so how is BUS GATE somehow incomprehensible?

All of this adds up to "Hold on, maybe I shouldn't...", doesn't it?

So turn a different way, and let your satnav sort it. Same as you would if that route was closed or gridlocked.

user1977

clg86 said:

I just wanted to know if Bus Gates were worth appealing as from what I remember I entered onto it from a side street and therefore (and I take full responsibility) must have missed the little blue circle sign. 

If you're "taking full responsibility" then what would you be basing your appeal on?

clg86

I suppose what I wad trying to figure out was:
a) my PCN says Bus Lane and not Bus Gate - so is there any grounds for appeal?
b) what even is a Bus Gate as it’s not common knowledge. 

When you’re lost in an area you are unfamiliar with, sometimes things get missed when they’re not obvious. I’m not talking about a road that’s obviously closed, or gridlocked, or a one way street as all these would have been blatantly obvious.

Yes I should have noticed the blue sign, but normally when you approach a change of rules on the road there’s a big sign warning you in advance. 

Driving onto it from a side street with no other way to go other than do a 3 point turn at a junction (had I noticed the small sign with no words on it) meant I made a mistake. Which I was unaware of until I recent PCN. 

Bus Gates are not a thing I’ve ever heard of or learned about because when I took my test it wasn’t a thing. Now I know. 

grumpyoldwoman

Bus gates are common where I live and the difference between bus lanes and bus gates is that a bus lane runs down the length of the road next to the kerb and usually operates at certain times of day, bus gates, on the other hand, are usually placed at junctions and mean the bus can go straight across the junction but cars have to round the junction which is usually a much longer route, and they are in operation at all times.

A simple way to think about it is to imagine there is a field with a path running around it, and there is also a path running straight across it, a short cut. Only certain people are allowed to use the short cut - busses - and everyone else - cars - have to use the outer path. 

Sorry if that sounds condescending, I didn't mean it to.

SallyDucati

clg86 said:

Went on holiday to Brighton a couple of weeks ago and today I received a fine through the post for “being in a bus lane” but when I’ve looked into it, it’s a Bus Gate(??) 
Has anybody heard of these before and do I just pay it?
It’s a council PCN so I don’t want to mess about, but also I’ve never even heard of a Bus Gate before and as I don’t know the area I was following my satnav to get back to Manchester and that’s the way it took me. 

I didn’t see any signs for it and looking at the picture other than me unaware I’m driving over a sign on the floor, it’s not an obvious bus lane as there’s no “bus lane line”. 

Any info would be helpful. Thanks. 

Be careful going down Oxford Road then - it has bus gates in a few locations including by the Palace Theatre between 6am and 9pm (just to make it less obvious!)

AdrianC

clg86 said:

Driving onto it from a side street with no other way to go other than do a 3 point turn at a junction (had I noticed the small sign with no words on it)

Location...?