Bus lane rules
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm hoping to tap into the collective wisdom here. I've been sent a fine for travelling in a bus lane (caught by CCTV and backed by video evidence, and I've got a lovely picture too), and I've been done bang to rights. The picture clearly shows me in the bus lane, and I remember doing it.
However, I was in the bus lane for 10m max, turning left into a car park - the picture they've sent even shows me indicating, which is nice. In fact, the "bus lane" can't be more than 10m long between two roads. Understandably, I'm feeling a little sore about this. I wasn't holding up any busses, and wasn't taking the piss by not queuing, as no-one else was filtering left. The lane I entered only leads to the car park.
Anyhow, before I give Merton Council £50, is there a minimum distance I need to have travelled in the lane?
£50 in the next 8 days, or I own £100, apparently, so a speedy response would be appreciated! To be honest, I'm expecting to have to pay up, but if there's a chance I can get away with it, all the better!
Cheers,
Dan
I'm hoping to tap into the collective wisdom here. I've been sent a fine for travelling in a bus lane (caught by CCTV and backed by video evidence, and I've got a lovely picture too), and I've been done bang to rights. The picture clearly shows me in the bus lane, and I remember doing it.
However, I was in the bus lane for 10m max, turning left into a car park - the picture they've sent even shows me indicating, which is nice. In fact, the "bus lane" can't be more than 10m long between two roads. Understandably, I'm feeling a little sore about this. I wasn't holding up any busses, and wasn't taking the piss by not queuing, as no-one else was filtering left. The lane I entered only leads to the car park.
Anyhow, before I give Merton Council £50, is there a minimum distance I need to have travelled in the lane?
£50 in the next 8 days, or I own £100, apparently, so a speedy response would be appreciated! To be honest, I'm expecting to have to pay up, but if there's a chance I can get away with it, all the better!
Cheers,
Dan
Dan,
You COULD try what I did many, many years ago in London.
Just came off M1 and E Type seriously overheating as now going slowly in traffic. Decided to go into bus lane to get more airflow (and hence cooling). Was just keeping cool enough to keep going to my meeting when noticed Police bike cop in rear view mirror following me. I immediately turned left into side street and pulled up.
Told him I was overheating (and showed him under bonnet) and thought it was sensible to get out of traffic queue or would have held up loads of cars if it stalled. He agreed and said it was very sensible.
You could say same - and going into car park to let it cool down. Try it - they can only say rubbish and insist on payment.
You COULD try what I did many, many years ago in London.
Just came off M1 and E Type seriously overheating as now going slowly in traffic. Decided to go into bus lane to get more airflow (and hence cooling). Was just keeping cool enough to keep going to my meeting when noticed Police bike cop in rear view mirror following me. I immediately turned left into side street and pulled up.
Told him I was overheating (and showed him under bonnet) and thought it was sensible to get out of traffic queue or would have held up loads of cars if it stalled. He agreed and said it was very sensible.
You could say same - and going into car park to let it cool down. Try it - they can only say rubbish and insist on payment.
[devils advocate]
So DanL travelled only 10m in the bus lane but directly below this you say it was on 10m long, so you travelled the whole length of the bus lane
[devils advocate]
robbieduncan points out that 3-4 cars lengths are left for cars to turn, this is about the length of a bus so what do you do then, wait in the right hand lane indicating left blocking traffic waiting for a friendly bus to let you in or sit in the bus lane behind bus hoping not to get a ticket.
So DanL travelled only 10m in the bus lane but directly below this you say it was on 10m long, so you travelled the whole length of the bus lane
[devils advocate]
robbieduncan points out that 3-4 cars lengths are left for cars to turn, this is about the length of a bus so what do you do then, wait in the right hand lane indicating left blocking traffic waiting for a friendly bus to let you in or sit in the bus lane behind bus hoping not to get a ticket.
voyds9 said:
...wait in the right hand lane indicating left blocking traffic waiting for a friendly bus to let you in
...rather like bus drivers who, in the absence of bus lanes are forced to "wait in the left hand lane indicating right blocking traffic waiting for a friendly car to let you out"
Give and take, chaps, give and take.
The Bus Lane will have been brought in as a result of an Order by Local Authority.
Pop along to them before paying, ask to see the Order and see what it allows/prohibits.
http://tinyurl.com/5jatd
is an example of such an Order. Read Para 3.
DVD
Pop along to them before paying, ask to see the Order and see what it allows/prohibits.
http://tinyurl.com/5jatd
is an example of such an Order. Read Para 3.
DVD
Ho hum - looks like there's no quick and easy answer. Thanks for your help though. 
I'll have a dig around on their website, but I've not got any time to visit the council, so I guess I'll be paying up.
Fair enough really, but I can't help feeling I've not got value for money for my £50.
Dan
I'll have a dig around on their website, but I've not got any time to visit the council, so I guess I'll be paying up. Fair enough really, but I can't help feeling I've not got value for money for my £50.
Dan
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