Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi Hippocrates,

Sorry for a few days delay in replying - just busy with hospital appointments etc.

Thanks for the instructions. Just to clarify...
I should go to
https://pcnevidence.lambeth.gov.uk/pcnonline/step2.php
Penalty Charge Notice details page
then select - REPRESETATION
then on the page - Make representations about LJ35373102
select - I wish to make representations about this PCN for other reasons
then on the page - I wish to make representations about this PCN for other reasons
select - I wish to challenge my PCN for another reason
and in description copy what you said above

Sorry to be a pain - just dont want to mess this up.

Also - you and everyone here is great - THANK YOU!

Regards
Danny

This is their response to our challenge:
PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE LJ35373102
DATE OF ISSUE Saturday, November 22, 2025 16:38
VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK KV10CWY
LOCATION Clapham Park Road
CONTRAVENTION 34j - Being in a bus lane
Dear Mrs ///,
Thank you for writing to us.
We have carefully considered what you say but we have decided not to cancel your Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
We sent you a PCN because our camera evidence shows your vehicle in a bus lane at a time when only buses are allowed there. The bus lane is indicated by signs and road markings.
The restricted lane sign (Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD) diagram 958) shows which vehicles can use the lane: buses, bicycles, and taxis.
The words "BUS LANE" (TSRGD diagram 1048) are marked on the road at the start of the lane where the continuous line begins and are repeated along the lane.
Only the allowed vehicles can use this part of the road while the bus lane is in operation. Other vehicles are prohibited.
Although bus lanes can have coloured surfaces, the colour has no legal meaning. The legal status of the bus lane is determined by the official signs and road markings.
Bus lane signs are made from reflective materials that are visible at night, due to streetlights and vehicle headlights. The road has a maximum speed limit of 20 mph.
04/02/2026
I appreciate you did not intend on committing the contravention and understand the circumstance described within your representation. Please be advised that it remains the driver’s/keeper responsibility to ensure that the vehicle was proceeding in accordance with the restriction in place.
The enclosed photos help to show why your PCN was issued.
You can also view CCTV evidence of your case online at
https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/parking/parking-fines-and-penalty￾charge-notices-pcns/penalty-charge-notices-pcns/pay-or-view-parking-fine-penalty-charge-notice-pcn
You have these choices:
· You can pay the discount charge of £80.00 if your payment reaches us within 14 days of the date of this letter.
· You can pay £160.00 within 28 days of the date shown on your PCN.
· You can formally challenge your PCN by using an Enforcement Notice form. The vehicle's owner will automatically receive the form if the PCN has not been paid within 28 days of the date shown on it. The form offers you the chance to formally challenge your PCN or pay the full £160.00. If you decide to formally challenge your PCN, please do not write to us again but wait until the Enforcement Notice form arrives.
How to pay:
· Online or over the phone
The easiest way to pay for your PCN is by visiting our website www.lambeth.gov.uk/payments where you can pay by Debit/Credit card. Or you can call 0333 800 5005. The lines are open 24 hours and 7 days a week.
· Post
You can also send us payment by post; however we need to receive this within the time stated above. Cheques and Postal Orders must be made payable to "London Borough of Lambeth" and sent to Lambeth Parking, PO Box 549, Darlington, DL1 9TU. Please make sure you write the PCN number on the back of the cheque or postal order.
For more details regarding how we use your personal information please view our Privacy Notice at
www.lambeth.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets
Yours sincerely
Lambeth Parking Services

Thank you Hippocrates
I have submitted as recommended.
Sure they will deny this challenge fast...

Merry Xmas to all here!
D

Thank you all for helping with this - i am about to challenge this and was wandering if this will be correct to write:
Informal Challenge to Penalty Charge Notice

Penalty Charge Notice: LJ35373102
Vehicle Registration: KV10CWY
Location: Clapham Park Road
Contravention Code: 34J – Being in a bus lane

Dear Sir or Madam,

I wish to make an informal challenge against the above Penalty Charge Notice on the grounds that the alleged contravention did not occur.

1. Inadequate and Unclear Signage – Contravention Not Proven

The CCTV footage relied upon by the council does not show my vehicle passing any upright bus lane signage, nor does it demonstrate that adequate signage was visible at the time of the alleged contravention.

The bus lane at this location is highly unusual in that it appears immediately before traffic lights at a junction which otherwise allows vehicles to turn left. The road layout, combined with a prominent left-turn arrow painted on the carriageway, gives a clear and misleading indication that turning left is permitted.

On the date in question, visibility was extremely poor due to heavy rain and darkness. The council’s own images demonstrate these poor conditions. Any advance warning signage was not illuminated and was not visible to a motorist exercising reasonable care and attention.

2. Visibility Conditions and Misleading Road Markings

The combination of:

Heavy rain

Darkness

A very short bus lane (approximately 70 metres)

Confusing road markings indicating a permitted left turn

A bus stop partially obscuring the restriction

made it extremely difficult to identify this as a restricted bus lane, even when keeping a proper lookout.

CCTV footage taken from an elevated position does not accurately reflect the visibility conditions experienced by a driver at road level, particularly in poor weather and low-light conditions.

3. Relevant Adjudicator Decision – Same Location

I draw your attention to a previous adjudicator’s decision concerning this exact location, where the adjudicator stated:

“I accept that this is a particularly challenging restriction for motorists to be aware of. This means the obligation on the local authority to ensure that adequate advance warning is in place is particularly strong… although it is a finely balanced decision, overall I am satisfied that given the unusual nature of this bus lane restriction, the advance warning sign really needs to be illuminated at night in order to give motorists adequate warning of the restriction.”

The adjudicator concluded that the authority had not demonstrated that adequate signage was in place and that the contravention did not occur.

The circumstances of my case are materially the same, and therefore the same reasoning applies.

Conclusion

Given:

The lack of visible upright signage in the CCTV evidence

The poor visibility conditions

The misleading road markings

The unusual and unexpected layout of this bus lane

And previous adjudicator findings at this location

I submit that Lambeth Council has failed to discharge its burden of proof, and the alleged contravention did not occur.

I respectfully request that this Penalty Charge Notice be cancelled forthwith.

Yours faithfully,
Daniel

Seeking Advice on Penalty Charge Notice from Lambeth Council 
Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out for some guidance regarding a Penalty Charge Notice I received from Lambeth Council. Here are the details:

Penalty Charge Notice Number: LJ35373102

Vehicle Registration Number: KV10CWY

Contravention Code: 34J (being in a bus lane)

Location: Clapham Park Road, a known spot for issuing PCNs.

At the time of the incident, my daughter, who is severely disabled, was in the car. Due to her condition, we were urgently trying to get home for her medication. The weather was dark and rainy, and the bus lane signage was not very visible, especially in the darkness. The bus lane section is quite short (about 70 meters), and the signs are small and not easily noticeable.

I believe this situation feels more like a revenue-generating measure rather than genuine traffic enforcement.

I’m looking for advice on how to approach the appeal process, as I have just a few days left to submit it. I’m also interested in guidance on how to access the images Lambeth Council has of the incident. I’ll be uploading the penalty charge notice (first and second pages) for better clarity.

https://imgpile.com/p/pMQTmrz#BNVroUL
PAGE ONE
https://imgpile.com/p/pMQTmrz#gYZ5dKq
PAGE TWO

Any advice, tips, or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help!

Best regards,
Daniel