Bus lane fines.

Does anyone have any experience of contesting bus lane fines? I received two fines in the post today for an offence last Friday night. I was driving through Warrington (first time I had ever been there), it was dark and I was a little lost. I accidentally turned into a bus only road, realised my error turned around after about twenty or so metres and came back out. The camera snapped me in both directions because I turned round so the fines are less than a minute apart!
The letters say if I pay straight away the fines are halved but if I appeal and lose then I have to pay the full amount. To me It seems very harsh and I should appeal but just wondered if anyone had ever successfully done so?

Two fines sounds a bit harsh.

Certainly write them a letter explaining exactly what happened and how you may have been confused by the layout/lack of lighting. Have you tried Google streeting to retrace the route? If it's recent enough you may be able to see where you went wrong or if you feel there's confusing info, especially if it was poorly lit.

There's a good chance IMHO that they'll rescind one of the fines.

The worst they can say is "no"....

I challenged one in Cambridge and, without appealing, they rescinded it. The kicker was that the hire car company charged me £30 for passing on the penalty notice.

Phone the council and explain your error - the timestamp on the photos will support your case.

These situations do my head in ! We pay for the roads but we can’t drive on them !!!!!

A bit of good news. One has been overturned (bizarrely, for reasons I didn't even put in my appeal). Still waiting to hear on the other.

Post your information on the PEPIPOO website if you want to contest it. They are very good at such things

I've been successful in getting a bus lane fine withdrawn. I just used the appeal process on their own website and included photos of the poor signage. Essentially it used to be a normal city centre road which got turned into bus only. However the junction opposite still allows you to merrily drive into it without obvious signs.

I think they will often let you off for a first offence, particularly if you've got additional evidence of poor signs etc.

We've also got a stinker of a bus lane which runs right up to a left hand filter lane. If you enter the lane a few meters early to turn left, you get zapped. Grrr.

Yes.

As Gripped says -

The authority challenging you needs to have clearly marked (not just one sign) that the bus lane does not allow any other motor vehicles at any other time. These need to be clearly visible, at all times, in all traffic conditions (they are usually if around v small and low down or high up on a lamp post not easy to see if a lorry is beside you etc.

They also need to provide clear video or photographic evidence of you entering the lane - HAVING DRIVEN PAST THE SIGN. And clear video or photographic evidence of you DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET in the lane without attempting to pull out.

That's before you ask to see confirmation of the equipment/training/people who took the footage they are claiming show's you doing something.

Or if you know it was you - you can consider paying the fine early - usually much cheaper than fighting it.

But if they are taking the mick - challenge them for all your worth. UK is riddled with job worth types who just want cash. Rather then tackling real issues.

Good luck!

MM