Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: The Haj on July 09, 2025, 07:22:01 pm
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Would this appeal to the adjudicator be appropriate and to the point?
The PCN alleges “using a route restricted to certain vehicles (local buses)”. However, the video evidence shows that:
I was travelling in the opposite direction to the bus lane in question, which operates as a contraflow lane.
I did not enter or use that lane as a through-route. At most, my wheels briefly crossed the line by no more than a foot, and for less than a second, solely to pass a stationary vehicle .
Any restriction signage applies to traffic entering the bus lane in the permitted direction. From my direction of travel, the signs were not visible or applicable. It is therefore not possible to contravene signage that is facing the other way.
On this basis, I submit that the contravention “using a route restricted to certain vehicles” is incorrectly applied to this situation and did not occur.
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Thanks will do. As you mentioned the initial appeal was too long, therefore would you have any guidance on the content please? Links to a template etc?
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Post the rejection.
As I said I can't see how you can contravene signage that's facing the other way ahead of you.
That said your reps should have been short and direct to that point.
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Hi all,
So my appeal was rejected..based on my reasoning doesn't provide an exemption or sufficient mitigation to cancel the PCN.
Below is the appeal i sent..could anyone offer any guidance if i have a case to appeal their decision to The Environment and Traffic Adjudicators, and if so which angle i should pursue? Thank you!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally challenge the issuance of Penalty Charge Notice [XX], issued for the alleged contravention of “using a route restricted to certain vehicles only (local buses)” at [XX].
Having reviewed the video evidence, I would like to clarify the circumstances and respectfully request the cancellation of this PCN for the following reasons:
I was riding a motorbike, and at no point did I enter or use a bus-only route in any deliberate or sustained way.
The bus lane in question was a contraflow lane — running in the opposite direction to my travel — which I briefly crossed into by no more than a foot and for less than a second to pass a stationary vehicle blocking my path at a set of traffic lights.
Crucially, the area I momentarily entered is not part of a continuous bus-only lane, but a clearly marked bus stop bay — with no signage indicating a restriction applying to the direction of travel I was using.
The restriction signage was not visible or applicable from my position, given the lane’s contraflow nature and the fact that I never continued riding in that lane or made use of it in any meaningful sense.
This was a brief and necessary movement carried out safely and in good faith. I did not obstruct any buses or other traffic, nor did I misuse a restricted route. It is my understanding that the "using a route restricted to certain vehicles" contravention refers to the deliberate and improper use of a route designated solely for those vehicles — which clearly does not apply in this case.
I therefore request that you cancel this PCN based on the points outlined above, and on the grounds that the alleged contravention did not occur as described.
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Thank you, really appreciate the input.
So would i have any standing appealing on the basis of signage, or are there any other angles i could use here?
I understand the adjudicators can reject the above reasoning, but seems incredibly harsh to issue fines for entering the lane by a foot for literally a second.
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I see from the tribunal that Camden is picking on motorcyclists doing this.
I can't see how this can be a contravention of 'Using a route restricted to certain vehicles' as you were trivially entering a contraflow lane and couldn't of course seen the restriction sign.
This hasn't stopped adjudicators turning down appeals though.
(https://i.ibb.co/S4TSNJBn/London-Boroughof-Camden-PCNEvidence-ezgif-com-video-to-gif-converter.gif)
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Apologies, please note numbers below
PCN: CU71386271
VRN: AF22 YDX
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You've blanked the PCN number and VRM - what are they as we need to see the video.
I think we've seen one like this in Camden and it can't be that contravention going that way.
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Hi all
After some advice on how to handle a PCN i received from Camden Council in the post today for "Using a route restricted to certain vehicles (local buses only)
I was on my motorbike and overtook some stationary cars at the lights. I didn't notice it was a bus lane at the time as the road marking said "Bus Stop", and I was hardly in by more than a foot for about two seconds.
I attach dropbox links to the letter and two images.
Thank you so much in advance for any advice on the appeal.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tk8losuky296qkdss8iz3/IMG_7289.jpg?rlkey=xc4rd5nvfdq3cfhldpkjvd74k&st=b7wakf9v&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6vykupm9pavh2n02cptl7/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-19.01.03.png?rlkey=gou15ercidcinx0xahka28f1g&st=hnpat6oh&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0h62121ap5rbwpm8d5vfa/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-19.01.16.png?rlkey=ojr3uehitkjrwi72lutqbb6hc&st=2rpj9s17&dl=0