Free Traffic Legal Advice

This is my first posting - I am not sure I have done so before. I hope I have done this correctly. I sent a message to another member directly this early AM as I was not sure how to post here (they had assisted someone else faced with an identical penalty in London in 2025. I was buoyed by his situation as they were successful)!

I submitted an informal representation to TFL in February 2026 in relation to a PCN issued by them regarding my entrance in a bus lane for a short duration observed 15.30.58 to 15.31.02 in January 2026. Recently (probably 15 May 2026) I received a response from them dated 5 May rejecting my representation.

Whilst I feel strongly that the penalty is unfair (given the Bus Lane follows virtually on  from the exit of a yellow box junction - the latter indicates to drivers to enter it encouraged by a go-ahead directional arrow going into the yellow box, and the Lane has prior signage obscured by a large congestion charge sign and has no 'Bus Lane' marking on the tarmac of the bus lane, although TFL states the contrary), I went yesterday to the library to pay the £80 penalty on-line.  However I could not complete the transaction as the library device was not verifiable by my bank (I did make a screen grab of my endeavour for my own record) and I have prepared an alternative cheque payment yesterday evening (22 May). However, on entering the TFL website this early today I find that the penalty has risen to £160.

My question is - do you think my 22 May dated cheque in payment for the penalty will be accepted as full settlement or could/will they continue with seeking the remainder of the higher charge?  Do they have any discretion with this if they choose and is it worth to discuss this with them after the Bank Holiday I wonder?

At this point, with an elderly parent needing my support, I had intended to settle the £80 charge to finish the matter as I have very real pressing priorities with this and want no further stress but now at £160, which I can ill afford and they may persist on, I wonder if I may as well pursue a formal representation - in light of I may have nothing to lose. I cannot afford the £160 and honestly I feel the charging of the penalty is so unfair. I have had two PCNS in the past (one from TFL) and have paid these unquestionably.  However, I felt strongly that this one is unjust and at £160, has moved to be exorbitant.

Could you offer me any comments or advice?  I am sorry that this message may sound wordy but I am worried now that I may incur more distress from this situation if they were to only accept my payment as a partial one.

Importantly, if my payment was not to be accepted as full settlement, could I revert to a formal representation then?   Should I consider proceeding? I would be delighted to provide any further information you require for your review.

I hope this is not too unclear.

Thank you for any comments or advice you can offer.


Mention to @ Hippocrates

Thank you Catnip, your guidance is much appreciated.

I suppose I feel I am in doubt whether the lower level payment has a chance of being accepted (although their response from my informal representation does not give a timeframe for the £80 to be paid, only that an enforcement notice may be issued - which has not received by me), I will just have to make a sensible decision on it and proceed with the route for advice you have highlighted if I do need it.

Thanks once again.

Good evening.