Good evening,
Writing to report a very similar situation to these:
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/tfl-being-in-a-bus-lane-camden-road-sw-bnd-from-camden-street/https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/camden-pcn-for-using-bus-lane-can-i-appeal/?PHPSESSID=jqck0cn8fvp0cc5fmrqp6u119nWe received a PCN regarding using the bus lane for 3 seconds, which was not marked appropriately.
Initial PCN:
Their responses:
We have attempted our own representation based on advice from the forum:
I am writing to formally challenge the above Penalty Charge Notice regarding an alleged bus lane contravention for the reasons set out below.
1. Inadequate advance warning of the bus lane. A blue sign in Camden Road just before Lyme Street is obscured by a Congestion Charge sign. Please see Image 1, this photo was taken while standing on the inside lane of the road. There should be adequate advance warning of the presence of a bus lane.
2. Confusing road markings at the junction with traffic lights at Camden Street. The inside lane becomes the bus lane immediately after the yellow box junction with traffic lights at Camden Street. The bus lane starts so close to the junction that the dotted white line of the bus lane meets the yellow line of the box junction – see Image 2. Therefore, motorists in the inside lane at the junction intending to drive straight on are not permitted to exit the junction in the same lane. However, the arrow marker on the road at the stop line indicates motorists may continue straight on – see Image 3 taken from Google Maps, but doing so results in a fine. I believe there is a duty on TfL to ensure signs and road markings are clear and not misleading.
3. No BUS LANE legend. At no point does the bus lane have the words “Bus Lane” written on the tarmac from its commencement at Camden Street to its end. Other bus lanes in the Camden area do.
I therefore request the PCN be cancelled. Thank you.
We have received the following response:Thank you for your informal representation received regarding the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
In your representation, you have stated that the signage before Lyme Street is obscured by a congestion charge sign. You do not feel fair that the inside lane immediately leads to the bus lane after the yellow box junction. The motorists in the inside lane at the junction intending to drive straight on are not permitted to exit the junction at the same lane. You noted the presence of the arrow at the stop line indicates to drive straight on. You further made points in regards to the absence of the words ‘BUS LANE’ on the tarmac. You have provided photographic evidence to support your statement.
You have stated that the signage is obscured by the congestion charge sign and the inside lanes leads to bus lane immediately. Please be advised that your vehicle was observed from 11:51:41 to 11:51:44 where we can see that your vehicle was travelling through the bus lane.
We consider your own evidence demonstrates the presence of the required statutory signage required for the bus lane in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD) and the guidance from the Department of Transport for traffic authorities found in the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM). It demonstrates adequate advance warning of the bus lane, including how the bus lane starts after the next junction and the presence of the bus lane start signage.
We would also reflect that your images are not a reflection of a driver positions. There is no requirement to include the BUS LANE legend on the carriageway, in this instance the provision of the bus stop marking takes priority. As such we consider the bus lane is correctly marked and are not confusing when considering the provisions of the TSRGD and the TSM. We consider your images from google maps are not representative and are not contemporaneous.
We issued the PCN because your vehicle was observed travelling within a bus lane in CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM CAMDEN STREET on 25/12/2025 at 11:51. Travelling within a bus lane during its operational hours constitutes a contravention. The sign in place states: Buses, Dial-a-Ride Buses, Pedal Cycles, Taxis and Solo Motorcycles Mon – Sun At Any Time. The bus lane is clearly sign posted and marked out on the road surface.
The onus is on the driver to be aware of the bus lane and its restrictions. Drivers are not permitted to drive in a bus lane during its period of operation unless exempt. We have checked and the signage and markings meet all the statutory requirements as set down in the Traffic Signs Regulations & General Direction 2016. Please note the onus is on the driver to be aware of road signs as laid out in the Highway Code, section 120: “Bus and Tram Lanes… are shown by road markings and signs. You must not drive or stop in a bus lane during its period of operation unless the signs indicate you may do so.” (Law RTRA scts 5 & 
.
Transport for London (TfL) has considered your informal representation. However we do not consider you have established grounds or suitable reasons for the penalty charge to be cancelled.
If you do not pay the outstanding Penalty Charge amount, an Enforcement Notice may be issued. The Enforcement Notice will provide a further 28 days from the date on which it is served to make a payment of the outstanding amount, or to make a formal representation. You must make your representation within the time frame permitted and in the manner stated on the notice. If you delay making your representation we may not have to consider it. A duly made representation will be considered and a formal decision will be sent to you. If we reject your representation we will set out your right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicator and the time limits for doing so.
Please note we may not consider any additional informal representations that are made before the Enforcement Notice is issued.
If you do not make a payment or representation, a Charge Certificate may be issued 28 days from the date of service of the Enforcement Notice. The Charge Certificate will increase the charge by 50% of the original amount. If the increased Penalty Charge is not then paid we may apply to the County Court to recover the penalty charge which will incur a further charge of £10 per Penalty Charge Notice.
Amount Outstanding: £80.00
Would anyone be kind enough to assist/represent in this instance?
Thank you very much,
