Free Traffic Legal Advice

Well, for a start, please unblank the PCN Number and car reg number as without it we cannot see the evidence on their website, which is the video of the alleged contravention. It is the sole evidence.

Yea, I thought so; wew've seen this location a few times starting in the old Pepipoo web forum. As I recall, appeals were won on the basis of inadequate signage for the road layout, but changes may have been made since. Can't look at Pepipoo, though as it's now gone.
There is an advance sign :-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ekrvEtfv4i7B3UPC7
then you've got the bus lane start sign :-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ftyAm9cb3ZWELFXk7

At the moment, all I can suggest is you look at the London Tribunals Statutory Register using the street name as a search argument plus a date range. I found a case similar to yours - 2210857147. In fact your case looks even stronger with the dreadful weather conditions plus night time.

extract from 2210857147

The appellant argues that the location of this particular bus lane is unusual. it is located just before traffic lights at a junction that appears to allow motorists to turn left. The presence of a bus stop just before the traffic lights also serves to obscure the fact that there is a bus lane. He says that the layout of the road is such that even if motorists are keeping a proper lookout, it is challenging for them to be aware of the bus lane. He accepts that the advance warning sign relied on by the authority would be adequate during daylight hours. However, he says that at night time the sign is hard to see because it is not illuminated and that the unusual location of the bus lane means that motorists would not anticipate the restriction or expect to see a bus lane sign.

I accept that this is a particularly challenging restriction for motorists to be aware of. This means the obligation on the local authority to ensure that adequate advance warning is in place is particularly strong.

I have looked carefully at the CCTV evidence however it is very difficult to assess what the visibility would have been like for motorists at the relevant time. CCTV footage taken from height, is unlikely to reflect what conditions were like motorists on the ground. I note that there is street lighting in place, however it is difficult to assess how effective it is.

Although it is a finely balanced decision, overall I am satisfied that given the unusual nature of this bus lane restriction, the advance warning sign really needs to be illuminated at night in order to give motorist adequate warning of the restriction.

I am therefore not satisfied the authority has shown that adequate signage was in place or that a contravention occurred.

Hey everyone ... Sorry for the late reply and thank you all for reading and helping, especially Incandescent and Hippocrates.

Incandescent, great work finding that appeal. It gives me hope and made my stress level drop significantly. BIG BIG THANK YOU!

Hippocrates, Yes, I would love if you could guide me through the whole process (when you can and if you are willing) - We are definitely in the mood to fight with them. 

I have taken a screen grab of their site but do not understand why is the 'The amount outstanding on the Charge Notice will increase to £160.00 on Tue, 23 Dec 2025. Please pay £80.00 now.' relevant? Is it because of the wrong date being used? Or is there some government guidance re this, meaning, does it create some basis for an appeal later?

Also, challenge statement you wrote, would you only say that when doing this 1st challenge or would you add more information to it? For example, mention the poor visibility and the fact that my daughter was in distress at the time etc.?

Sorry for asking for more information and again BIG THANK YOU to you and others trying to help us.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Thank you all for helping with this - i am about to challenge this and was wandering if this will be correct to write:
Informal Challenge to Penalty Charge Notice

Penalty Charge Notice: LJ35373102
Vehicle Registration: KV10CWY
Location: Clapham Park Road
Contravention Code: 34J – Being in a bus lane

Dear Sir or Madam,

I wish to make an informal challenge against the above Penalty Charge Notice on the grounds that the alleged contravention did not occur.

1. Inadequate and Unclear Signage – Contravention Not Proven

The CCTV footage relied upon by the council does not show my vehicle passing any upright bus lane signage, nor does it demonstrate that adequate signage was visible at the time of the alleged contravention.

The bus lane at this location is highly unusual in that it appears immediately before traffic lights at a junction which otherwise allows vehicles to turn left. The road layout, combined with a prominent left-turn arrow painted on the carriageway, gives a clear and misleading indication that turning left is permitted.

On the date in question, visibility was extremely poor due to heavy rain and darkness. The council’s own images demonstrate these poor conditions. Any advance warning signage was not illuminated and was not visible to a motorist exercising reasonable care and attention.

2. Visibility Conditions and Misleading Road Markings

The combination of:

Heavy rain

Darkness

A very short bus lane (approximately 70 metres)

Confusing road markings indicating a permitted left turn

A bus stop partially obscuring the restriction

made it extremely difficult to identify this as a restricted bus lane, even when keeping a proper lookout.

CCTV footage taken from an elevated position does not accurately reflect the visibility conditions experienced by a driver at road level, particularly in poor weather and low-light conditions.

3. Relevant Adjudicator Decision – Same Location

I draw your attention to a previous adjudicator’s decision concerning this exact location, where the adjudicator stated:

“I accept that this is a particularly challenging restriction for motorists to be aware of. This means the obligation on the local authority to ensure that adequate advance warning is in place is particularly strong… although it is a finely balanced decision, overall I am satisfied that given the unusual nature of this bus lane restriction, the advance warning sign really needs to be illuminated at night in order to give motorists adequate warning of the restriction.”

The adjudicator concluded that the authority had not demonstrated that adequate signage was in place and that the contravention did not occur.

The circumstances of my case are materially the same, and therefore the same reasoning applies.

Conclusion

Given:

The lack of visible upright signage in the CCTV evidence

The poor visibility conditions

The misleading road markings

The unusual and unexpected layout of this bus lane

And previous adjudicator findings at this location

I submit that Lambeth Council has failed to discharge its burden of proof, and the alleged contravention did not occur.

I respectfully request that this Penalty Charge Notice be cancelled forthwith.

Yours faithfully,
Daniel

Oh OK... Sorry was getting carried away.
the PCN was dated 3rd and i was given 14 days - do i need to submit before midnight tonight?
Thank you Hippocrates - i will wait for your input.
Regards
D

Thank you Hippocrates
I have submitted as recommended.
Sure they will deny this challenge fast...

Merry Xmas to all here!
D