Bus Lane Enforcement

**Rob** · 29-07-2006, 14:43

Twickenham Council have decided in their wisdom that I've driven too far in a bus lane.

They want to fine me ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100.00

Yes I entered the bus lane, but their own cameras show that within 30 seconds my car was parked in a designated bay which was only accessible by going through the bus lane.

From the photos the council have provided I have driven no more than 6 car lengths from the point that the car tyre first crossed into the bus lane, to the point of the bay that I used. There were no busses to be seen, whilst the traffic lane was at a vitual standstill.

I'm looking for specific information for a robust defence. The specific issues based on the councils' own reply is "vehcles ... are only permitted to enter the bus lane near to the intended location (parking bay) in whcih the motorist proposed to use. I've highlighted what appears to me to be the critical word.

There are two specific questions:
a) What legislation is used to define and thus enforce bus lanes
b) What is the definition of "near", in a legal sense as far as bus lanes go.

I've done an initial

but can't find anything other than how to appeal.

Thanks in advance.

SnoopZ · 29-07-2006, 14:54

Sounds like a job for Mr Angry.

**Rob** · 29-07-2006, 14:59

Mr Angry, meet Mr Livid

SnoopZ · 29-07-2006, 15:04

I might be in completely the wrong area but does any of THIS help?

[edit]

Sorry i thought you were looking how to appeal.

On a more positive note more than half of people who do appeal for parking fines win them in Twickenham.

29-07-2006, 15:04

I hate people who use bus lanes to park in or to try and beat the traffic jams!

Get loads of them here in swansea!

They should be given points as well as a fine if you ask me....

Kliro · 29-07-2006, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I hate people who use bus lanes to park in or to try and beat the traffic jams!

Get loads of them here in swansea!

They should be given points as well as a fine if you ask me....

Annnnd the most useful comment award goes to........

The sucess rate of appeals is pretty high I've heard, so maybe just appealing stating that crossing the bus lane is the only way of accessing that space etc. I'd say you'd get off for.

Good luck anyways.

iain_herts · 29-07-2006, 15:17

sorry i cant help u rob but i got a parking ticket the other day stopped unloaded my van and park further down the road. finished doing what i was doing drove back had to park on a yellow line went to get my triple section ladder came back and some parking warden takeing photos of my van and a parking ticket on the windscreen and i work for bloody SKY.

oh and WE have to pay it and also we get charge a ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15 admin fee by SKY even if we go and pay it wen we get it

gooner4life · 29-07-2006, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by iain_herts

sorry i cant help u rob but i got a parking ticket the other day stopped unloaded my van and park further down the road. finished doing what i was doing drove back had to park on a yellow line went to get my triple section ladder came back and some parking warden takeing photos of my van and a parking ticket on the windscreen and i work for bloody SKY.

oh and WE have to pay it and also we get charge a ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15 admin fee by SKY even if we go and pay it wen we get it

Why would working for "bloody sky" stop a traffic warden giving you a parking ticket for parking on a yellow line? as for the admin fee by Sky if you pay it immediately you should argue there is no admin for them to charge you for, and ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15 is unreasonable anyway.

**Rob** · 29-07-2006, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I hate people who use bus lanes to park in or to try and beat the traffic jams!

Get loads of them here in swansea!

They should be given points as well as a fine if you ask me....

but where does it say I parked in a bus lane? I had to drive through it to get to the parking space, which is on the inside of the bus lane. Note the council is not disputing that I was parking legally, just that I'm not allowed to get to the parking space

---------- Post added at 16:55 ---------- Previous post was at 16:53 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by iain_herts

oh and WE have to pay it and also we get charge a ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15
admin fee by SKY even if we go and pay it wen we get it

That admin fee strikes me as a bit steep, rather like the bank charges type threads we've got running, is it the real cost to Sky?

But you have my sympathy. It's no fun carrying a load of kit, even portable ladders for a couple of streets.

bob_a_builder · 29-07-2006, 17:01

Quote:

oh and WE have to pay it and also we get charge a ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15 admin fee by SKY even if we go and pay it wen we get it

Same for most, if not all company car drivers - otherwise youi've got immunity and carte blanch to park anywhere, just like those diplomatic cars in london - most of which don't won't pay any such fine/Ccharge

Like the idea that working for 'Sky' should give some kind of immunity - is this a closer to god kind of thing

---------- Post added at 17:01 ---------- Previous post was at 17:00 ----------

Quote:

I had to drive through it to get to the parking space, which is on the inside of the bus lane.

Write and tell 'em your 'teleporter' was broken

Chimaera · 29-07-2006, 17:11

Write and ask them how they would expect a motorist to enter that car parking space without crossing into the bus lane? And a letter to the local rag would probably be helpful, if they are anything like our local paper, they hate the local council!

Good luck!

29-07-2006, 17:33

My post was a general comment with regards to bus lanes and not aimed at you rob c!

Paul · 29-07-2006, 17:55

Why not ask the council involved to provide you with a printed copy of the legislation that you are accused of breaching and then ask them to fully expand on how you breached it? If they refuse to do so then the CAB would be my next port of call

Dan_Sette · 29-07-2006, 18:04

It will all hinge on "near".

The council, of course, will let you cross the bus lane to get to the space. There arguement will be that you should pull up to the area adjacent to the space, indicate and then pull into it. As you would if you were pulling into an off-road driveway protected by no bus lane.

If you use the logic "I only was in it for six car lengths" then applying the same logic you would have to drive across a substantial amount of pavement and / or your neighbours gardens to get to the same off road driveway.

And 30 seconds, at 30mph, is a quarter of a mile.....substantially more than six car lengths.

D

scrotnig · 29-07-2006, 18:10

Tell them to screw it and to do their worst but that you will not pay them even one penny.

Legalised demanding money with menaces it is.

Insist on a court hearing.