How about the below:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally challenge the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued to me for allegedly driving in a bus lane. I believe the charge is incorrect, and I am requesting that the PCN be cancelled for the following reasons:
Signage and Road Markings Inconsistency
According to the Government's guidance on bus and cycle signs, road markings, and the Highway Code, the area in question does not have the appropriate signage or road markings to designate it as a bus lane. There are no visible signs indicating the presence of a bus lane, nor are there any road markings that would suggest it is a bus lane.
The signage in this area indicates to a "bus gate," which is not mentioned anywhere in the PCN I received. This discrepancy between the PCN's description and the actual road signage has caused confusion, and the information provided on the PCN does not accurately reflect the situation.
Confusion During Telephone Enquiries
I contacted Surrey County Council on the morning of March 10th, 2025, at 10:08 am for clarification. The staff member I spoke to was initially unsure whether the location in question was a bus lane or a bus gate. After putting me on hold and consulting with colleagues, the staff member confirmed that it is, in fact, a bus gate. However, I was advised to challenge the PCN because the information provided in the notice was incorrect.
I called Surrey County Council again at 10:44 am to seek further clarification on which representation grounds would be appropriate for my case. The staff member I spoke to was also unsure and had to consult with colleagues once more, as they were unable to confirm the correct grounds for challenge and said it could fall under three. I questioned how unclear this was and they also encouraged me to include this in a representation. This further reinforces the confusion and lack of clarity surrounding the PCN and the signage.
Inaccurate Information in the PCN
Based on my conversations with Surrey County Council and the guidance on road signage and markings, I believe the PCN incorrectly describes the place as a bus lane. The place in question is actually a bus gate, and the signage and road markings do not support the claim that it is a bus lane. The conflicting information I received from the council staff only adds to the confusion surrounding the matter.
Given the above points, I respectfully request that you reconsider and cancel the Penalty Charge Notice, as the information provided is inaccurate and misleading. The confusion caused by the signage and the conflicting advice from Surrey County Council staff further supports my claim that the penalty charge was issued in error.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[PCN Reference Number]
Should I include ownership that the footage clearly shows I have made a mistake and once I had realised I was stuck in a one way system (I owned that on both phone calls because I don't challenge that) but that it is my first time ever driving in the area, I got rerouted on the sat nav due to roadworks in the area, its my first ever charge and the confusion by multiple staff members of Surrey County Council suggests that the information needs to be more clear to help myself and others avoid mistakes like this in the future. I am grateful to now know to avoid this mistake if i ever drive in the area in future.
