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#Post#: 106397--------------------------------------------------
Bristol bus lane trap
By: kgw Date: January 18, 2026, 10:32 am
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Hello and happy new year to all,
I've just received a bus lane automated PCN. I was not driving.
These are usually hard to dispute but the setup looks like trap.
Bath Road (A4) has 2 lanes entering Bristol. There's a Park and
Ride on the outskirts.
300m before the turn to the park and Ride entrance, it is
advertised: First sign
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/FVeGNoMRNSZ5gV6h8
230m before the turn, "PARK AND RIDE" followed by an arrow to
the left is painted on the pavement, followed by a clean air
zone sign and a bus stop: 230m before
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/mprrXmqVjmdEF7n79
Immediately after, 150m before the turn, a 2nd "PARK AND RIDE"
followed by an arrow to the left is painted on the pavement:
150m before
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/2sDhGLnTPwm7rd237
Then, about 100m before the turn, there's signage showing that
the left lane will become a bus lane ahead with enforcement
cameras: Only sign
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDMvNBQJajzLxV5XA
Then, 80m before the turn, a 3rd "PARK AND RIDE" followed by an
arrow to the left is painted on the pavement, followed by a
large illuminated sign indicating available spaces: 80m before
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/dAnCRnN9VEA91GAW8
Then, 25m before the left turn, a 4th "PARK AND RIDE" followed
by an arrow to the left is painted on the pavement: 25m before
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/5HiYtrRHoKEhzq6p6
Finally, upon reaching the park and ride entrance, there are
traffic lights with a straight ahead arrow followed by "BUS TAXI
cycles (symbol) ONLY" painted on the pavement: traffic lights
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZweUohpq4tBgXL87
On the face of it, this seems like a lot of early warning BUT,
it was a rainy night so I'm pretty sure the paint on the ground
was invisible so the only real warning was the (unilluminated)
sign 100m ahead. The PCN photos give a good idea of the
prevailing visibility. PCN photo
HTML https://ibb.co/yF1v6fHp
Has anyone had any success disputing this kind of PCN?
Regards
#Post#: 106400--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: John U.K. Date: January 18, 2026, 11:00 am
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Please post all sides of the PCN (only redact yr name & address
- leave all else in).
#Post#: 106401--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: fraser.mitchell Date: January 18, 2026, 11:03 am
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[quote]Has anyone had any success disputing this kind of
PCN?[/quote]
It's difficult to tell, because the Traffic Penalty Tribunal
statutory register of cases is not on-line and searchable like
the one at London Tribunals. Quite why TPT persist with this
only they know. I would say you have a reasonable case, despite
the sign giving the bus lane ahead notice. However, the bus lane
itself is signed so this would count against you as well as the
presence of the advance sign.
Is there a video online on their website ? The PCN photos will
be frames from this.
#Post#: 106411--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: Phantomcrusader Date: January 18, 2026, 12:46 pm
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There is no bus lane signage in place. The only signs placed are
signs conveying park & ride and lastly, a sign conveying a route
restricted to certain vehicles. In this case the signs convey
that the route is restricted for use by buses, pedal cycles and
taxis only. Contravening this sign is, according to Govt
guidance
HTML https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6294ddfa8fa8f5039a1bd695/annex-a-traffic-signs-subject-to-moving-traffic_enforcement.pdf,<br
/>a moving traffic contravention and not a bus lane contraventio
n.
Therefore the appropriate contravention description is Code 33 -
Using a route restricted to certain vehicles. You can use the
text below in your formal reps but also wait to see if others
offer other angles of attack.
The Council’s website states that a bus lane is formed of a
solid thick white line with the legend “Bus Lane” marked on the
carriageway. None of these defining features were present and so
I was not in a bus lane. Your website address stating this is
provided below.
HTML https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates
HTML https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates
The Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities Outside London on
Civil Enforcement of Bus Lane and Moving Traffic Contraventions
issued by the Secretary by State for Transport does under Annex
A, advise that the round blue sign is a traffic sign conveying a
moving traffic contravention. The Council has wrongly accused me
of a bus lane contravention. The correct description for
contravening the sign is code 33 "using a route restricted to
certain vehicles". As demonstrated by the aforementioned Annex
A, a procedural impropriety has occurred as the wrong
contravention description is stated on the PCN and for this it
should be cancelled.
#Post#: 106422--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: fraser.mitchell Date: January 18, 2026, 2:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Phantomcrusader
link=topic=9549.msg106411#msg106411 date=1768761964]
There is no bus lane signage in place. The only signs placed are
signs conveying park & ride and lastly, a sign conveying a route
restricted to certain vehicles. In this case the signs convey
that the route is restricted for use by buses, pedal cycles and
taxis only. Contravening this sign is, according to Govt
guidance
HTML https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6294ddfa8fa8f5039a1bd695/annex-a-traffic-signs-subject-to-moving-traffic_enforcement.pdf,<br
/>a moving traffic contravention and not a bus lane contraventio
n.
Therefore the appropriate contravention description is Code 33 -
Using a route restricted to certain vehicles. You can use the
text below in your formal reps but also wait to see if others
offer other angles of attack.
The Council’s website states that a bus lane is formed of a
solid thick white line with the legend “Bus Lane” marked on the
carriageway. None of these defining features were present and so
I was not in a bus lane. Your website address stating this is
provided below.
HTML https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates
HTML https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/parking/parking-fines-bus-lane-fines-and-towed-away/bus-gates
The Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities Outside London on
Civil Enforcement of Bus Lane and Moving Traffic Contraventions
issued by the Secretary by State for Transport does under Annex
A, advise that the round blue sign is a traffic sign conveying a
moving traffic contravention. The Council has wrongly accused me
of a bus lane contravention. The correct description for
contravening the sign is code 33 "using a route restricted to
certain vehicles". As demonstrated by the aforementioned Annex
A, a procedural impropriety has occurred as the wrong
contravention description is stated on the PCN and for this it
should be cancelled.
[/quote]
I think you need to read this, which the TPT seems to think
means councils can do what they damn well like provided no
prejudice is caused: -
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/
HTML https://www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TPT-Annual-Report-2024-25_2507254.pdf
#Post#: 106449--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: kgw Date: January 18, 2026, 5:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=John U.K. link=topic=9549.msg106400#msg106400
date=1768755602]
Please post all sides of the PCN (only redact yr name & address
- leave all else in).
[/quote]
PCN1
HTML https://ibb.co/sdDLTJYr
PCN2
HTML https://ibb.co/gb2kW9jm
As I wrote, there's a video but the PCN says you need to go to
city hall to view it!
#Post#: 106450--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: DWMB2 Date: January 18, 2026, 5:25 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=John U.K. link=topic=9549.msg106400#msg106400
date=1768755602]
Please post all sides of the PCN (only redact yr name & address
- leave all else in).
[/quote]
"Leave all else in" includes your VRM and PCN reference number
#Post#: 106453--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: kgw Date: January 18, 2026, 5:34 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks very much for your input
[quote author=Phantomcrusader
link=topic=9549.msg106411#msg106411 date=1768761964]
There is no bus lane signage in place.
[/quote]
The 100m sign does suggest a bus lane ahead but not in the usual
way: Only sign
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDMvNBQJajzLxV5XA
[quote author=Phantomcrusader
link=topic=9549.msg106411#msg106411 date=1768761964]
the round blue sign is a traffic sign conveying a moving traffic
contravention. The Council has wrongly accused me of a bus lane
contravention. The correct description for contravening the sign
is code 33 "using a route restricted to certain vehicles". As
demonstrated by the aforementioned Annex A, a procedural
impropriety has occurred as the wrong contravention description
is stated on the PCN and for this it should be cancelled.
[/quote]
I suppose you're referring to the straight arrow below the
traffic lights. traffic lights
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZweUohpq4tBgXL87
The car did not violate that round blue sign since it did go
straight ahead. I suppose the light turned green.
#Post#: 106454--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: kgw Date: January 18, 2026, 5:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=DWMB2 link=topic=9549.msg106450#msg106450
date=1768778751]
"Leave all else in" includes your VRM and PCN reference number
[/quote]
Updated
(but it's the 1st time I see such a request on this forum).
#Post#: 106462--------------------------------------------------
Re: Bristol bus lane trap
By: jfollows Date: January 19, 2026, 2:44 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=kgw link=topic=9549.msg106454#msg106454
date=1768779477]
[quote author=DWMB2 link=topic=9549.msg106450#msg106450
date=1768778751]
"Leave all else in" includes your VRM and PCN reference number
[/quote]
Updated
(but it's the 1st time I see such a request on this forum).
[/quote]
See
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/
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