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#Post#: 101874--------------------------------------------------
Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus lane,
Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: danijel1973
Date: December 10, 2025, 9:43 am
---------------------------------------------------------
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.
HTML https://imgpile.com/p/pMQTmrz#BNVroUL
PAGE ONE
HTML 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
#Post#: 101926--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: December 10, 2025, 4:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Well, for a start, please unblank the PCN Number and car reg
number as without it we cannot see the evidence on their
website, which is the video of the alleged contravention. It is
the sole evidence.
#Post#: 101930--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: catnip
Date: December 10, 2025, 4:35 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Incandescent link ---
>
> Well, for a start, please unblank the PCN Number and car reg
number as without it we cannot see the evidence on their
website, which is the video of the alleged contravention. It is
the sole evidence.
>
--- End Quote ---
The PCN & Reg details have been provided in the text of the
post.
#Post#: 101936--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: December 10, 2025, 6:23 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Yea, I thought so; wew've seen this location a few times
starting in the old Pepipoo web forum. As I recall, appeals were
won on the basis of inadequate signage for the road layout, but
changes may have been made since. Can't look at Pepipoo, though
as it's now gone.
There is an advance sign :-
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/ekrvEtfv4i7B3UPC7
then you've got the bus lane start sign :-
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/ftyAm9cb3ZWELFXk7
At the moment, all I can suggest is you look at the London
Tribunals Statutory Register using the street name as a search
argument plus a date range. I found a case similar to yours -
2210857147. In fact your case looks even stronger with the
dreadful weather conditions plus night time.
extract from 2210857147
--- Quote ---
> The appellant argues that the location of this particular bus
lane is unusual. it is located just before traffic lights at a
junction that appears to allow motorists to turn left. The
presence of a bus stop just before the traffic lights also
serves to obscure the fact that there is a bus lane. He says
that the layout of the road is such that even if motorists are
keeping a proper lookout, it is challenging for them to be aware
of the bus lane. He accepts that the advance warning sign relied
on by the authority would be adequate during daylight hours.
However, he says that at night time the sign is hard to see
because it is not illuminated and that the unusual location of
the bus lane means that motorists would not anticipate the
restriction or expect to see a bus lane sign.
>
> 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.
>
> I have looked carefully at the CCTV evidence however it is
very difficult to assess what the visibility would have been
like for motorists at the relevant time. CCTV footage taken from
height, is unlikely to reflect what conditions were like
motorists on the ground. I note that there is street lighting in
place, however it is difficult to assess how effective it is.
>
> 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 motorist adequate warning
of the restriction.
>
> I am therefore not satisfied the authority has shown that
adequate signage was in place or that a contravention occurred.
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 101981--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: December 11, 2025, 5:48 am
---------------------------------------------------------
For starters:
The amount outstanding on the Charge Notice will increase to
£160.00 on Tue, 23 Dec 2025. Please pay £80.00 now.
Please screenshot their web page.
Challenge: The alleged contravention did not occur because it
is not supported by the video evidence which, in turn, does not
show any upright signage allegedly passed. In light of this
please cancel the PCN.
*******
Be prepared for the long game AND keep an eye on their website
at all stages. I am happy to assist all the way.
#Post#: 102114--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: danijel1973
Date: December 11, 2025, 9:21 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hey everyone ... Sorry for the late reply and thank you all for
reading and helping, especially Incandescent and Hippocrates.
Incandescent, great work finding that appeal. It gives me hope
and made my stress level drop significantly. BIG BIG THANK YOU!
Hippocrates, Yes, I would love if you could guide me through the
whole process (when you can and if you are willing) - We are
definitely in the mood to fight with them.
I have taken a screen grab of their site but do not understand
why is the 'The amount outstanding on the Charge Notice will
increase to £160.00 on Tue, 23 Dec 2025. Please pay £80.00 now.'
relevant? Is it because of the wrong date being used? Or is
there some government guidance re this, meaning, does it create
some basis for an appeal later?
Also, challenge statement you wrote, would you only say that
when doing this 1st challenge or would you add more information
to it? For example, mention the poor visibility and the fact
that my daughter was in distress at the time etc.?
Sorry for asking for more information and again BIG THANK YOU to
you and others trying to help us.
Kind regards,
Daniel
#Post#: 102165--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: December 12, 2025, 7:23 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: danijel1973 link ---
>
> Hey everyone ... Sorry for the late reply and thank you all
for reading and helping, especially Incandescent and
Hippocrates.
>
> Incandescent, great work finding that appeal. It gives me hope
and made my stress level drop significantly. BIG BIG THANK YOU!
>
> Hippocrates, Yes, I would love if you could guide me through
the whole process (when you can and if you are willing) - We are
definitely in the mood to fight with them.
>
> I have taken a screen grab of their site but do not understand
why is the 'The amount outstanding on the Charge Notice will
increase to £160.00 on Tue, 23 Dec 2025. Please pay £80.00 now.'
relevant? Is it because of the wrong date being used? Or is
there some government guidance re this, meaning, does it create
some basis for an appeal later?
>
> Also, challenge statement you wrote, would you only say that
when doing this 1st challenge or would you add more information
to it? For example, mention the poor visibility and the fact
that my daughter was in distress at the time etc.?
>
> Sorry for asking for more information and again BIG THANK YOU
to you and others trying to help us.
>
> Kind regards,
> Daniel
>
--- End Quote ---
The date of increase is wrong and it gets worse! Just add
visibility. Forget the stress as they will disregard that
anyway.
#Post#: 102717--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: danijel1973
Date: December 16, 2025, 3:26 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
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
#Post#: 102718--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: December 16, 2025, 3:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
TMI: no admissions please. keep it short and simple i.e. putting
the onus on them to prove their allegation. Back later with a
revised draft.
BTW there is no need/right to make an informal challenge and,
according to the law, they do not even have to consider one.
Forget cases at this stage. They won't consider them anyway. In
a case a few years ago, ( I was the representative- 2230075597)
they even said that the famous Key Case v Ealing (re camera
certification) did not apply! cp8759 was the representative in
that Ealing case. They are one of the most intransigent of them
all and sometimes offer the daftest arguments in order for you
to part with your money. I'll take a close look in the next 15
minutes at the video and their website.
In this law they also MUST attend any hearing or their evidence
is inadmissible.
#Post#: 102722--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lambeth Parking, Lambeth Council, code 34J being in a bus
lane, Clapham Park Road -HELP PLEASE
DIR By: danijel1973
Date: December 16, 2025, 3:35 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Oh OK... Sorry was getting carried away.
the PCN was dated 3rd and i was given 14 days - do i need to
submit before midnight tonight?
Thank you Hippocrates - i will wait for your input.
Regards
D
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