My first time visiting Tunbridge Wells and first bus lane PCN. I did not see the signage for a bus only lane, nor the typical road markings I would expect to see. I was following my satnav to a parking destination that indicated needing to turn down the bus only lane.
Once I had entered the bus only route, I was unaware I was in a bus lane: the road is block paved and I had seen a 20mph road sign so assumed this was because I was entering the centre of town where there would be a lot of people crossing. I did not see any signs or road markings to indicate I was in a bus lane so carried on my merry way and parked in the nearby multistorey. Once I received my penalty notice I checked Google maps and there was in fact a 'no vehicles' sign as you pull onto 'Goods Station Road' from 'Meadow Road' (the direction I was coming from). It also appears again on 'Goods Station Road' at the entrance to 'Grosvenor Road' amongst 3 other signs.
As I was moving onto Goods Station Road I needed to get into the left lane and this is likely why I missed the 'no vehicles' sign as it there is not much time to see it coming from that direction (Meadow Road). Once I turned into Grosvenor Road, I only recall seeing the speed limit sign. The second no vehicle sign is obscured by the traffic light. The other signage (4 clustered together) I would have not had time to register all at once (the traffic was flowing, no lights to stop).
Any advice welcome for an appeal. I really don't think the signage is adequate (little time to register, obscured and overly crowded) coupled with the fact there is no road markings indicating a bus lane. This doesn't appear to be a bus lane, but rather a bus-only route. I don't know if that makes a difference but this case (quashed at tribunal) I believe reflects mine quite closely:
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/fine-quashed-after-bus-lane-8223581?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar.
All images here (notice, council's evidence and google maps images:
https://imgur.com/a/591uTDkGoogle map links
Meadow Road turning onto Goods Station Road: Meadow Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaa5XsXP6QmpHqH36?g_st=acLeading up to bus only road (on Goods Station Road):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5BuKjKhRYDSbfkKR7?g_st=acAt turning:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9kJv95phBjKfBHw4A?g_st=acOn bus only road:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gtK1pmpgwc9wAXWy7?g_st=acEmbedded: 









