Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Smogdot on May 24, 2025, 09:02:35 pm
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There is no bus lane signage in place. The only signs placed are signs conveying a route restricted to certain vehicles. In this case the signs convey that the route is restricted for use by buses, pedal cycles, solo motor
cycles and taxis only. Contravening this sign is, according to Govt guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6294ddfa8fa8f5039a1bd695/annex-a-traffic-signs-subject-to-moving-traffic_enforcement.pdf), a moving traffic contravention and not a bus lane contravention. The appropriate contravention description is Code 33 - Using a route restricted to certain vehicles.
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I'm afraid there is no easy answer to your problem. You drove past two traffic signs meaning 'buses only', plus text on the carriageway.
I have to say I am quite surprised they still have the rising bollard installation plus its signs, because the buses only restriction has surely removed the need for them. DO you know when these were taken out of use ? Also were you looking for the bollard when you approached ? This would take your attention away from the signs, which are much higher up.
The only other thing to note is that their sole evidence, the video, doesn't show you passing the signs. Some adjudicators will allow appeals on this basis alone.
You have one go for submmitting reps to the council, then when they inevitably refuse them, you can register an appeal at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, but the full PCN penalty of £70 would be in play if you do that.
Afraid I'm not a local to this area. Streetview gives a couple of clues but I don't know for sure.
Sounds like the best bet truthfully is just to cough up while the fine is cheaper, then. Thanks anyways, though.
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The fact that the bollard sign was there could lead someone to believe their vehicle was authorised
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I'm afraid there is no easy answer to your problem. You drove past two traffic signs meaning 'buses only', plus text on the carriageway.
I have to say I am quite surprised they still have the rising bollard installation plus its signs, because the buses only restriction has surely removed the need for them. DO you know when these were taken out of use ? Also were you looking for the bollard when you approached ? This would take your attention away from the signs, which are much higher up.
The only other thing to note is that their sole evidence, the video, doesn't show you passing the signs. Some adjudicators will allow appeals on this basis alone.
You have one go for submmitting reps to the council, then when they inevitably refuse them, you can register an appeal at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, but the full PCN penalty of £70 would be in play if you do that.
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Hi all,
Received a Penalty Charge Notice from Slough Borough Council a few days ago: I crossed a bus gate while picking up family from a hotel in Slough. I didn't realize what the term 'bus gate' meant and missed the overhead signs. This is my first infraction of this type, and within Slough.
(https://file.garden/ZzP8oHm1ci4Vri9x/SloughPCN.jpg)
(https://file.garden/ZzP8oHm1ci4Vri9x/SloughBusGate1)
Location of the infraction on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9BmZkvVzWnKFjyEN8
Any help would be appreciated, thank you very much.