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#Post#: 107419--------------------------------------------------
Harrow PCN, Bus Lane, Northolt Rd Jct Alexandra Ave
By: LarryLongShanks Date: January 26, 2026, 10:32 am
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Hi,
I was sent this PCN for being in a bus lane. After a quick
search, I can see there are several complaints online about this
infamous bus lane, including a couple of cases on here where the
appeal has been allowed.
Here is a link to the PCN and video evidence:
HTML https://imgpile.com/p/7kyV9u5
Here is a link to street view:
HTML https://maps.app.goo.gl/tCsFryVMPpXB3CBK8
I'm usually so careful with bus lanes, but I'm not from this
area and this totally caught me by surprise - I knew as soon as
I was in the lane that I could be in trouble, but there was no
way to pull into the other lane without endangering others.
I've drafted an informal challenge based on others I've seen:
[quote]Dear Sir or Madam,
I wish to challenge the above Penalty Charge Notice issued for
an alleged bus lane contravention at the stated location.
My challenge is made on the basis that the signage and road
markings at this location are unclear, ambiguous, and
insufficient to adequately warn motorists of the restriction in
advance, and therefore the alleged contravention did not occur.
I was travelling along a stretch of road (A312, Pett's Hill) on
a Saturday where a bus lane operates only during limited hours
(7–10am and 4–7pm, Monday to Friday). That bus lane then ends,
and the lane reverts to normal use for all traffic. After this
point, as the road curves, there is a very short section of bus
lane which operates at all hours.
The issue is that the signage indicating this 24-hour bus lane
is positioned at the entrance to the bus lane itself and was not
visible until I already committed to the lane. By the time the
sign becomes visible, it wasn't possible for me to safely move
into the adjacent lane without causing a risk of collision with
another vehicle in my blindspot.
This is made worse by the inconsistency of the restrictions
along the same route. A long stretch of bus lane operates only
at certain times, yet a very short section immediately
afterwards operates 24 hours a day. This inconsistency is not
clearly conveyed to drivers and is confusing, particularly as
the sign can reasonably be interpreted as referring to the
earlier bus lane that has already ended, rather than indicating
a new restriction beginning at that point.
In my view, the correct signage is not placed “before” the bus
lane in a manner that allows drivers sufficient time to react
safely, as required. The restriction only becomes apparent once
a driver has already entered the prohibited section, at which
point avoiding it would be unsafe.
Furthermore, as seen in the video, the roadmarking denoting the
bus lane is severely faded and difficult to read.
I'm aware that appeals relating to this exact location have
previously been allowed by adjudicators on the basis that the
signage is ambiguous and misleading, and that the placement of
the signs does not adequately convey the restriction in advance.
For these reasons, I submit that the alleged contravention did
not occur and request that the Penalty Charge Notice be
cancelled.
Should you reject this challenge, please ensure that all
relevant Traffic Management Orders, signage authorisations, and
evidence relied upon are provided so that I may consider the
matter further.[/quote]
Some questions:
- Are there any other points to add to my challenge which could
help?
- There is a white lane layout sign further up the road which
indicates a bus lane is coming up
(
HTML https://imgpile.com/p/A8O6h6W),
however it doesn't include any
details of the restrictions and it's still not clear where the
bus lane is based on the road layout. How much will this matter
in the appeal?
- I understand the council are likely to reject the challenge,
but I'm nervous about how the tribunal process works, is there
some advice anywhere I could read?
Thanks in advance for reading this far!
#Post#: 107422--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harrow PCN, Bus Lane, Northolt Rd Jct Alexandra Ave
By: Hippocrates Date: January 26, 2026, 11:09 am
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Bus lanes are my speciality. Don't worry. I will draft a
challenge for you later. They MUST attend any hearing. I have
won all of my cases they did not!
#Post#: 107590--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harrow PCN, Bus Lane, Northolt Rd Jct Alexandra Ave
By: Hippocrates Date: January 27, 2026, 4:28 pm
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Before you do anything, please screenshot the grounds page as if
to select one. They are rubbish. 6 of them are wrong. For
later. I have taken a shot.
Challenge: The alleged contravention did not occur as the
signage in place is not fit for purpose. Therefore, please
cancel the PCN.
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/l32ltar_xl.png
#Post#: 107757--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harrow PCN, Bus Lane, Northolt Rd Jct Alexandra Ave
By: LarryLongShanks Date: January 28, 2026, 1:40 pm
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Thank you Hippocrates, I've submitted the challenge with your
suggested statement.
What happens now?
#Post#: 107782--------------------------------------------------
Re: Harrow PCN, Bus Lane, Northolt Rd Jct Alexandra Ave
By: Hippocrates Date: January 28, 2026, 2:56 pm
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They will reject and we wait for the Enforcement Notice to make
formal representations.
HTML https://www.londontribunals.gov.uk/eat/understanding-enforcement-process/bus-lane-pcn-enforcement-process
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