Bus lane fine.
Discussion
I've received a PCN from Cardiff Council for being in a bus lane, the picture clearly shows me in it, I can't deny it and it looks like I'm undertaking traffic.
What actually happened was, I was trying to get to a property that is in a pedestrian area, that has vehicular access via raising bollards. Basically, I was lost! Realised I couldn't get through the bollards, so tried to park in a lay-by outside the shops, but the space wasn't big enough. The bollards and lay-by require you to enter the bus lane.
By the time I realised I was still in the bus lane, it looks as if I'd driven past two cars in the next lane who were stationary at traffic lights. I rejoined behind these cars when the lights changed.
Question is, am I likely to win an appeal, if I explain what happened? I can provide details of the call out I was attending etc, or is it tough luck, suck it up and pay the fine?
What actually happened was, I was trying to get to a property that is in a pedestrian area, that has vehicular access via raising bollards. Basically, I was lost! Realised I couldn't get through the bollards, so tried to park in a lay-by outside the shops, but the space wasn't big enough. The bollards and lay-by require you to enter the bus lane.
By the time I realised I was still in the bus lane, it looks as if I'd driven past two cars in the next lane who were stationary at traffic lights. I rejoined behind these cars when the lights changed.
Question is, am I likely to win an appeal, if I explain what happened? I can provide details of the call out I was attending etc, or is it tough luck, suck it up and pay the fine?
Put in an appeal and explain in honesty. I was snapped in a bus lane but I had pulled over to let an emergency vehicle past. Appealed on the council website and they reviewed the CCTV within a few days and dropped the fine. If it is evident on their system that it was a genuine mistake you might be within luck.
parabolica said:
Put in an appeal and explain in honesty. I was snapped in a bus lane but I had pulled over to let an emergency vehicle past. Appealed on the council website and they reviewed the CCTV within a few days and dropped the fine. If it is evident on their system that it was a genuine mistake you might be within luck.
Thanks, I'll give it a try then. The fine doubles to £70 if not payed within 21 days though, which I'd imagine the appeal process will probably take longer than.gshughes said:
Rickyy said:
Thanks, I'll give it a try then. The fine doubles to £70 if not payed within 21 days though, which I'd imagine the appeal process will probably take longer than.
Usually the period for the discount is extended until an appeal is dealt with.OP, I'm guessing it was here - https://goo.gl/maps/XJVujq5LjQG2
Did you drive in the bus lane between the bollards and the lay-by?
Or at the point you found that you couldn't fit your car in the latter?
There should be an exemption in the TRO to allow access to properties.
I would have expected the same for a lay-by but common sense isn't always the forte of LAs.
A 90 degree turn across a bus lane to reach a property is risky but doable.
Parallel parking into a lay-by/parking space is an entirely different kettle.
Check the TRO. Then decide whether you want to take it to the TPT.
Did you drive in the bus lane between the bollards and the lay-by?
Or at the point you found that you couldn't fit your car in the latter?
There should be an exemption in the TRO to allow access to properties.
I would have expected the same for a lay-by but common sense isn't always the forte of LAs.
A 90 degree turn across a bus lane to reach a property is risky but doable.
Parallel parking into a lay-by/parking space is an entirely different kettle.
Check the TRO. Then decide whether you want to take it to the TPT.
Red Devil said:
OP, I'm guessing it was here - https://goo.gl/maps/XJVujq5LjQG2
Did you drive in the bus lane between the bollards and the lay-by?
Or at the point you found that you couldn't fit your car in the latter?
There should be an exemption in the TRO to allow access to properties.
I would have expected the same for a lay-by but common sense isn't always the forte of LAs.
A 90 degree turn across a bus lane to reach a property is risky but doable.
Parallel parking into a lay-by/parking space is an entirely different kettle.
Check the TRO. Then decide whether you want to take it to the TPT.
That is exactly where it was. I was trying to get down High St, which I thought was the first set of bollards, then I was going to stop in the lay-by, but the space was too small.Did you drive in the bus lane between the bollards and the lay-by?
Or at the point you found that you couldn't fit your car in the latter?
There should be an exemption in the TRO to allow access to properties.
I would have expected the same for a lay-by but common sense isn't always the forte of LAs.
A 90 degree turn across a bus lane to reach a property is risky but doable.
Parallel parking into a lay-by/parking space is an entirely different kettle.
Check the TRO. Then decide whether you want to take it to the TPT.
I'm not really bothered if I have to pay, as they have me banged to rights, it's just frustrating as I genuinely wasn't being a t
t, just trying to access a property!Ah I see. High Street is the one between the loading bay and the traffic lights.
Traffic is banned from it except for loading between Midnight and 10.00am.
The yellow top bollards are the telescopic type which sink into the road surface.
https://goo.gl/maps/rJAZwREHELB2
The lay-by you were trying to get into is restricted to goods vehicle loading only.
https://goo.gl/maps/1gu7UzGQvG62 - had there been sufficient space did your vehicle qualify?
IF so, you are not necessarily bang to rights. You can't enter/exit it without encroaching on the bus lane.
Only you know the exact circumstances and whether it is worth putting up a fight.
PATAS/TPT adjudicators are a pretty fair bunch and often side with the motorist where there is ambiguity.
Traffic is banned from it except for loading between Midnight and 10.00am.
The yellow top bollards are the telescopic type which sink into the road surface.
https://goo.gl/maps/rJAZwREHELB2
The lay-by you were trying to get into is restricted to goods vehicle loading only.
https://goo.gl/maps/1gu7UzGQvG62 - had there been sufficient space did your vehicle qualify?
IF so, you are not necessarily bang to rights. You can't enter/exit it without encroaching on the bus lane.
Only you know the exact circumstances and whether it is worth putting up a fight.
PATAS/TPT adjudicators are a pretty fair bunch and often side with the motorist where there is ambiguity.
I was on City Road in North London a few years ago, i stopped my van and threw up down a drain next to my van, unfortunately i was in the bus lane. Id been off work ill but came back a day or two too early and thought i could ride it out but i couldnt, a couple of days later i got a fine for driving in the bus lane, i phoned the number to ask about the fine being quashed as id just chucked up, the lovely lady suggested i threw up in the car as i could have caused a delay for the bus by stopping£40 s.
Another was at Kidbrooke, theres a very small bus lane that is just off the A2 near the old postoffice lane.The route around the bus lane was a just over car width restricted road which had a lump of curb stone dislodged so was unpassable unless i wanted serious damage to happen, well i drove down the bus lane along with however many cars and went on with my day. A few days later i had a fine through the post for driving through a bus lane, i phoned up and appealed that the road was unpassable but it fell on deaf ears, surely someone should have twigged that something was wrong, couldnt contest it as was going away on holiday and didint have time. £40s.
s.Another was at Kidbrooke, theres a very small bus lane that is just off the A2 near the old postoffice lane.The route around the bus lane was a just over car width restricted road which had a lump of curb stone dislodged so was unpassable unless i wanted serious damage to happen, well i drove down the bus lane along with however many cars and went on with my day. A few days later i had a fine through the post for driving through a bus lane, i phoned up and appealed that the road was unpassable but it fell on deaf ears, surely someone should have twigged that something was wrong, couldnt contest it as was going away on holiday and didint have time. £40
s.Triumph Man said:
I got lost once whilst looking for a parking space in Bath. I ended up in a bus lane. I got a ticket. Guess what, I sucked it up and paid. I was at fault, I paid up.
You sound proud of your miserable cowardice. Thankfully many of us have the balls to play our part in the fight against these CCTV jockeys wanting to fine us off the roads for no good reason.Osinjak said:
Hamish Finn said:
Rickyy said:
I've received a PCN from Cardiff Council for being in a bus lane,
Were you in a bus lane? What would be the basis for your appeal?
FWIW, I'd say appeal, but don't hold out a lot of hope, as bus lanes offences tend to be black and white.
supermono said:
Triumph Man said:
I got lost once whilst looking for a parking space in Bath. I ended up in a bus lane. I got a ticket. Guess what, I sucked it up and paid. I was at fault, I paid up.
You sound proud of your miserable cowardice. Thankfully many of us have the balls to play our part in the fight against these CCTV jockeys wanting to fine us off the roads for no good reason.Red Devil said:
They are making a killing here as motorists are so used to stopping for 20" there to drop the missus off to go shopping in the city centre - custom and practice over the past century or so. Now you have to cross a bus lane to do it and the wrath of Thor then drops down upon you through your letterbox!They are up to £2.2 million in fines now the feckers.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/drive...
No buses were delayed in this production!
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff