Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Zoe Driver on March 09, 2026, 11:13:38 am
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Sorry, the links to the PCNs on imgpile didn't work so I'm trying these.
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/Mt8E263_xl.png)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/vU28VV0_xl.png)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/Wj6jCN1_xl.png)
(https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/amQq8Ow_xl.png)
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Hi
Last week I received three 34J alleged bus lane contravention PCNs from Leeds City Council.
Although I am not used to driving in city centres, Leeds was an absolutely bewildering nightmare, with roadworks everywhere. In some places contractors' vans were blocking signs, and at times Satnav was telling me to go along roads whish were blocked.
The three locations are:-
Bus Gate, Bridge End Junction Dock Street
Bus Gate, Bishopgate Street/Park Row
Bus Lane, Westgate (Magistrate Courts)
The imgpile links are here (the first three are the PCNs themselves, while the fourth is of the allowed representations, which are the same for all three PCNs)
(https://imgpile.com/p/vNwb3fE#Mt8E263)
(https://imgpile.com/p/vNwb3fE#vU28VV0)
(https://imgpile.com/p/vNwb3fE#Wj6jCN1)
(https://imgpile.com/p/vNwb3fE#amQq8Ow)
Is a sign being blocked by a contractors' vehicle a valid defence?
Is the fact that there were too many extra roadworks/diversion/road blocked signs (in addition to all the usual signs) for anybody to process all the information quickly enough a valid defence?
If there are no "technical" defences does the council have discretion to apply "mercy" (possibly due to extenuating circumstances)? After all, at no point did I block or impede any buses.
Also, is it correct that, as long as I make representations within the 21 day window, the 50% discount remains "live" until my representations have been accepted or rejected?
Any help/advice you can give will be very gratefully received - thanks for your time!