Free Traffic Legal Advice

I created an Imgur post and used the 'copy link' function. I can see it in my original post but I guess you can't. I have copied the weblink address and pasted that - does that work for you? Thanks.

Hi,

This is the first PCN I've received and I feel really annoyed as morally, I don't think I have done anything wrong! My appeal has been rejected, I am nearing the end of the 28 day period (letter dated 3rd December) and I wonder whether it is worth an independent appeal or whether I should just give in and pay.

The contravention is 31J, entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited.
PCN number: PV30346121
VRM: P11XDL

The circumstance is that I was entering onto the road from a perpendicular junction (doctor's surgery), and had to cross a carriageway to get to the side of the road where the box junction was. It was a busy road, I'd been waiting ages and finally there was a break in the traffic. I drive a Ford Smax (7 seater) so it is a long vehicle. The traffic was free flowing on the far side (someone had let me out) when I committed to the maneuver, but due to the lane splitting at the other end of the yellow box junction and a set of traffic lights, after I had started to cross the road, I could see that the traffic was coming to a standstill. The car ahead of me stopped at the far end of the box junction (literally just outside of it). So, as I was now halfway across the road, I moved into 'my' carriageway so that I wasn't blocking oncoming traffic.

From my view inside the car, I thought that I hadn't entered the box junction. My car was still at an angle as the turning circle is such that I hadn't been able to straighten my car up before I had reached what I thought was the start of the box junction. To my left, there was a sign warning cars not to enter the box junction unless clear. This sign was at the boundary to the fire station and my bonnet was in line with this sign (little did I know that the yellow box extended about half a meter before where this sign is positioned). Therefore, I fully believed that I had not entered the box junction and I was in no way obstructing the fire station as my car had not passed the station boundary nor where this warning sign is positioned.

I waited in this position until the traffic lights changed and the traffic up ahead started moving again. I was really shocked to receive this PCN through the post as quite clearly if I had intended on driving into the yellow box then I wouldn't have immediately stopped my car when I did, but the exact opposite was true; I was trying not to be in it.

They have provided video evidence that proves all of the above , i.e., you can see that I have started to move out into the carriageway while the traffic was still free flowing - and the yellow box is really quite long, so I am having to make predictions of several drivers' decisions up ahead of me. I conscientiously stopped in a position that didn't obstruct the fire station at all, nor did it obstruct the other carriageway. I think they're in a privileged position with a birds eye camera view as I didn't think I was in the yellow box.

Do I have a case here to proceed or shall I just pay the fine? Any advice welcome! (TIA)

I've shared the decision reasons. Please note they have recorded the contravention date wrong here as 25 October when it was actually 13th Nov - they have it correct on the front page).
Google street view link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/84tXTjEhYNKri6hM9
@cp8759

I have uploaded the PCN and video footage here:



















https://i.imgur.com/ub3v5CY.mp4