3. Bus Lane Penalty Notice
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Bus Lane Penalty Notice
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Caught going through a bus lane (Queensway Bus Terminus, Weston-super-Mare). Won't deny that it was me or that I wasn't in the wrong. I've checked on Google earth and can see the signage clearly before the turning saying buses only. I had never been in Somerset before and had no idea where I was going and was going round and round looking for a particular shop - which was where my attention was focused (having first ensured I had no traffic around me). "Ah, I think it's this way" I seem to recall telling myself, and then realising I was in a bus lane just after I had turned. Had actually forgotten about it until getting the PCN this weekend. Am I correct in thinking I can do nothing about it and just pay?
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #1 on: »
Well, are you just going to cough-up and join the Mugged Club ? Surely not !
Please read this and update your thread accordingly: -
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/

Once we have more info we can advise you on what to do, pay or appeal. Councils are notoriously bad at placing signs and also, believe it or not, actually following what the law and regulations state they must do in order to enforce parking and traffic contraventions.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #2 on: »
Thank you for your reply! Happy to take them on if possible :-)

Council: North Somerset Council

Alleged contravention: Code 34J - Being in a Bus Lane

Location: Queensway Bus Terminus, Weston-Super-Mare

My story: Totally new to the area, was trying to locate a store over on the left, saw it and so turned but hadn't digested the 'buses only' sign due to not knowing the area and being preoccupied with making sure there was no other traffic while searching for the store.

Their correspondence: Have included a PDF of their four pages, hope this is okay or do you want me to still do the picture hosting site?

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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #3 on: »
Please post a GSV link to the location, and also  the video which is the evidence.

The pdf is fine, but for some reason you've obscured the PCN number and Reg Mark - please give them.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #4 on: »
Sorry, didn't really know what I was supposed to cover, have re-done the PDF - attached

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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #5 on: »
« Last Edit: June 15, 2025, 07:23:45 pm by Petes Dragon »
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #6 on: »
https://www.councilparking.org/northsomerset/pages/home.aspx

Go to "View a PCN", then type in all the requested data that is on your PCN. Video shows you turning right into the bus gate. There is a No Right Turn sign at the turn: -
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oMFRE2JeCWKxkwMz5

However, placement of the sign could be criticised, because it is way off to the left of the carriageway. A second sign on the RH side would have been better. The same could be said for the other direction, except that the Buses Only sign is clearly visible. For southbound drivers, the sign is obscured by the rampant hedges.

So, go for inadequate signage, pointing out that if you miss the NRT sign, the sign at the entrance to the bus stop cannot be seen until you start to turn due to hedge growth.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #7 on: »
Right, first thing first - thanks everyone for helping.

Secondly - it seems you can all see this video without my having to download and give to you, correct?

Thirdly - good job I have now viewed it, as I was getting the impression I had come from the other direction, making a left turn, but I see now that I had made a right turn. Yes, from the positioning of the signage it sort of hijack's you.

Lastly, so should I just write something like: 'Your sign placement is inadequate. For a start the no right turn sign is way over to the left of the carriageway at the other side of first a large grass verge and also a wide pavement. A second sign on the righthand would be better. As for the buses only sign on the right, this might as well not be there as it is obscured by rampant hedges.'
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #8 on: »
Quote from: Petes Dragon on June 15, 2025, 10:15:47 pm
Right, first thing first - thanks everyone for helping.

Secondly - it seems you can all see this video without my having to download and give to you, correct?

Thirdly - good job I have now viewed it, as I was getting the impression I had come from the other direction, making a left turn, but I see now that I had made a right turn. Yes, from the positioning of the signage it sort of hijack's you.

Lastly, so should I just write something like: 'Your sign placement is inadequate. For a start the no right turn sign is way over to the left of the carriageway at the other side of first a large grass verge and also a wide pavement. A second sign on the righthand would be better. As for the buses only sign on the right, this might as well not be there as it is obscured by rampant hedges.'
Yes, we can see council on-line videos if we have PCN Number and car reg. Some councils also put a webcode on the PCN. Put a draft of your proposed reps on here for review first.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #9 on: »
"Put a draft of your proposed reps on here for review first"

Sorry this has taken a while, but is this okay?


I am asking that the Penalty Charge to be cancelled because:

I had never been in Somerset before and had no idea where I was and was looking for a shop that might have an adequate toilet because my disabled daughter urgently needed one. My attention therefore was otherwise focused on ensuring I had no traffic around me whilst looking for said toilet.

Also

Your sign placement is inadequate. For a start the no right turn sign is way over to the left of the carriageway at the other side of first a large grass verge and also a wide pavement. A second sign on the righthand would be better. As for the buses only sign on the right, this might as well not be there as it is obscured by rampant hedges. But for this inadequacy I would never have made the turning.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #10 on: »
Before I send, is this response okay?
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #11 on: »
I suggest you tone down the paragraph about signage. You want them to cancel and have no strong appeal argument.
I would put:

It seems to me, looking back on it, following receipt of your PCN, that the signs are badly placed for a driverr coming in a southbound direction. The No Right Turn sign is way over to the left of the carriageway at the other side of first a large grass verge and also a wide pavement. A second sign on the righthand side would be better. As for the Buses Only sign on the right, this might as well not be there as it is obscured by rampant hedges. But for this inadequacy I would never have made the turning.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #12 on: »
Thanks, will make the changes as advised.
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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #13 on: »
The council's reply attached pdf, all thoughts welcome. I find it funny that they diss Google images and yet all their photos are taken from the position of someone who clearly is not in the driving lane.

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Re: Bus Lane Penalty Notice
« Reply #14 on: »
They mention your daughter's disability, and ask you to provide medical evidence within 21 days, so I suggest you do this as soon as possible. They have re-offered the discount for 21 days too.

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