Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: kgw on January 18, 2026, 04:32:35 pm
-
Hi,
Just found out that there was also a green sign 430m ahead of the turn (Early sign (https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Emt3CiTSCFZeyoz8)) along with "PARK AND RIDE AND BUSES ONLY" painted on the left lane
I believe the traffic lights should have had a no entry sign with an "EXCEPT BUSES" supplementary plate rather than a blue arrow inviting to go straight ... but can this be defended with 2 signs suggesting the left lane becomes turn only?
-
Thanks,
This is my first council case and I've now read this section's instructions. My mistake!
I had only been on the private parking ticket section where instructions are "remove personal details (name/address, PCN reference number, Vehicle Registration Mark)"
-
"Leave all else in" includes your VRM and PCN reference number
Updated
(but it's the 1st time I see such a request on this forum).
See https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/
-
"Leave all else in" includes your VRM and PCN reference number
Updated
(but it's the 1st time I see such a request on this forum).
-
Thanks very much for your input
There is no bus lane signage in place.
The 100m sign does suggest a bus lane ahead but not in the usual way: Only sign (https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDMvNBQJajzLxV5XA)
the round blue sign is a traffic sign conveying a moving traffic contravention. The Council has wrongly accused me of a bus lane contravention. The correct description for contravening the sign is code 33 "using a route restricted to certain vehicles". As demonstrated by the aforementioned Annex A, a procedural impropriety has occurred as the wrong contravention description is stated on the PCN and for this it should be cancelled.
I suppose you're referring to the straight arrow below the traffic lights. traffic lights (https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZweUohpq4tBgXL87)
The car did not violate that round blue sign since it did go straight ahead. I suppose the light turned green.
-
Please post all sides of the PCN (only redact yr name & address - leave all else in).
"Leave all else in" includes your VRM and PCN reference number
-
Please post all sides of the PCN (only redact yr name & address - leave all else in).
PCN1 (https://ibb.co/sdDLTJYr)
PCN2 (https://ibb.co/gb2kW9jm)
As I wrote, there's a video but the PCN says you need to go to city hall to view it!
-
There is no bus lane signage in place. The only signs placed are signs conveying park & ride and lastly, a sign conveying a route restricted to certain vehicles. In this case the signs convey that the route is restricted for use by buses, pedal 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. Therefore the appropriate contravention description is Code 33 - Using a route restricted to certain vehicles. You can use the text below in your formal reps but also wait to see if others offer other angles of attack.
The Council’s website states that a bus lane is formed of a solid thick white line with the legend “Bus Lane” marked on the carriageway. None of these defining features were present and so I was not in a bus lane. Your website address stating this is provided below.
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates (https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates)
The Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities Outside London on Civil Enforcement of Bus Lane and Moving Traffic Contraventions issued by the Secretary by State for Transport does under Annex A, advise that the round blue sign is a traffic sign conveying a moving traffic contravention. The Council has wrongly accused me of a bus lane contravention. The correct description for contravening the sign is code 33 "using a route restricted to certain vehicles". As demonstrated by the aforementioned Annex A, a procedural impropriety has occurred as the wrong contravention description is stated on the PCN and for this it should be cancelled.
I think you need to read this, which the TPT seems to think means councils can do what they damn well like provided no prejudice is caused: -
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TPT-Annual-Report-2024-25_2507254.pdf
-
There is no bus lane signage in place. The only signs placed are signs conveying park & ride and lastly, a sign conveying a route restricted to certain vehicles. In this case the signs convey that the route is restricted for use by buses, pedal 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. Therefore the appropriate contravention description is Code 33 - Using a route restricted to certain vehicles. You can use the text below in your formal reps but also wait to see if others offer other angles of attack.
The Council’s website states that a bus lane is formed of a solid thick white line with the legend “Bus Lane” marked on the carriageway. None of these defining features were present and so I was not in a bus lane. Your website address stating this is provided below.
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates (https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates)
The Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities Outside London on Civil Enforcement of Bus Lane and Moving Traffic Contraventions issued by the Secretary by State for Transport does under Annex A, advise that the round blue sign is a traffic sign conveying a moving traffic contravention. The Council has wrongly accused me of a bus lane contravention. The correct description for contravening the sign is code 33 "using a route restricted to certain vehicles". As demonstrated by the aforementioned Annex A, a procedural impropriety has occurred as the wrong contravention description is stated on the PCN and for this it should be cancelled.
-
Has anyone had any success disputing this kind of PCN?
It's difficult to tell, because the Traffic Penalty Tribunal statutory register of cases is not on-line and searchable like the one at London Tribunals. Quite why TPT persist with this only they know. I would say you have a reasonable case, despite the sign giving the bus lane ahead notice. However, the bus lane itself is signed so this would count against you as well as the presence of the advance sign.
Is there a video online on their website ? The PCN photos will be frames from this.
-
Please post all sides of the PCN (only redact yr name & address - leave all else in).
-
Hello and happy new year to all,
I've just received a bus lane automated PCN. I was not driving.
These are usually hard to dispute but the setup looks like trap.
Bath Road (A4) has 2 lanes entering Bristol. There's a Park and Ride on the outskirts.
300m before the turn to the park and Ride entrance, it is advertised: First sign (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FVeGNoMRNSZ5gV6h8)
230m before the turn, "PARK AND RIDE" followed by an arrow to the left is painted on the pavement, followed by a clean air zone sign and a bus stop: 230m before (https://maps.app.goo.gl/mprrXmqVjmdEF7n79)
Immediately after, 150m before the turn, a 2nd "PARK AND RIDE" followed by an arrow to the left is painted on the pavement: 150m before (https://maps.app.goo.gl/2sDhGLnTPwm7rd237)
Then, about 100m before the turn, there's signage showing that the left lane will become a bus lane ahead with enforcement cameras: Only sign (https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDMvNBQJajzLxV5XA)
Then, 80m before the turn, a 3rd "PARK AND RIDE" followed by an arrow to the left is painted on the pavement, followed by a large illuminated sign indicating available spaces: 80m before (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dAnCRnN9VEA91GAW8)
Then, 25m before the left turn, a 4th "PARK AND RIDE" followed by an arrow to the left is painted on the pavement: 25m before (https://maps.app.goo.gl/5HiYtrRHoKEhzq6p6)
Finally, upon reaching the park and ride entrance, there are traffic lights with a straight ahead arrow followed by "BUS TAXI cycles (symbol) ONLY" painted on the pavement: traffic lights (https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZweUohpq4tBgXL87)
On the face of it, this seems like a lot of early warning BUT, it was a rainy night so I'm pretty sure the paint on the ground was invisible so the only real warning was the (unilluminated) sign 100m ahead. The PCN photos give a good idea of the prevailing visibility. PCN photo (https://ibb.co/yF1v6fHp)
Has anyone had any success disputing this kind of PCN?
Regards