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#Post#: 110142--------------------------------------------------
Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM CAMDEN
STREET
DIR By: eazyseeker
Date: February 17, 2026, 2:55 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Good evening,
Writing to report a very similar situation to these:
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/tfl-being-in-a-bus-lane-camden-road-sw-bnd-from-camden-street/
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/camden-pcn-for-using-bus-lane-can-i-appeal/?PHPSESSID=jqck0cn8fvp0cc5fmrqp6u119n
We received a PCN regarding using the bus lane for 3 seconds,
which was not marked appropriately.
Initial PCN:
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/NevNyPF_xl.jpeg
Their responses:
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/dPWMlz4_xl.jpeg
HTML https://cdn.imgpile.com/f/qSmYwB3_xl.jpeg
We have attempted our own representation based on advice from
the forum:
--- Quote ---
> I am writing to formally challenge the above Penalty Charge
Notice regarding an alleged bus lane contravention for the
reasons set out below.
>
>
> 1. Inadequate advance warning of the bus lane. A blue sign in
Camden Road just before Lyme Street is obscured by a Congestion
Charge sign. Please see Image 1, this photo was taken while
standing on the inside lane of the road. There should be
adequate advance warning of the presence of a bus lane.
>
> 2. Confusing road markings at the junction with traffic
lights at Camden Street. The inside lane becomes the bus lane
immediately after the yellow box junction with traffic lights at
Camden Street. The bus lane starts so close to the junction that
the dotted white line of the bus lane meets the yellow line of
the box junction – see Image 2. Therefore, motorists in the
inside lane at the junction intending to drive straight on are
not permitted to exit the junction in the same lane. However,
the arrow marker on the road at the stop line indicates
motorists may continue straight on – see Image 3 taken from
Google Maps, but doing so results in a fine. I believe there is
a duty on TfL to ensure signs and road markings are clear and
not misleading.
>
> 3. No BUS LANE legend. At no point does the bus lane have the
words “Bus Lane” written on the tarmac from its commencement at
Camden Street to its end. Other bus lanes in the Camden area do.
>
> I therefore request the PCN be cancelled. Thank you.
--- End Quote ---
We have received the following response:
--- Quote ---
> Thank you for your informal representation received regarding
the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
>
> In your representation, you have stated that the signage
before Lyme Street is obscured by a congestion charge sign. You
do not feel fair that the inside lane immediately leads to the
bus lane after the yellow box junction. The motorists in the
inside lane at the junction intending to drive straight on are
not permitted to exit the junction at the same lane. You noted
the presence of the arrow at the stop line indicates to drive
straight on. You further made points in regards to the absence
of the words ‘BUS LANE’ on the tarmac. You have provided
photographic evidence to support your statement.
>
> You have stated that the signage is obscured by the congestion
charge sign and the inside lanes leads to bus lane immediately.
Please be advised that your vehicle was observed from 11:51:41
to 11:51:44 where we can see that your vehicle was travelling
through the bus lane.
>
> We consider your own evidence demonstrates the presence of the
required statutory signage required for the bus lane in
accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General
Directions 2016 (TSRGD) and the guidance from the Department of
Transport for traffic authorities found in the Traffic Signs
Manual (TSM). It demonstrates adequate advance warning of the
bus lane, including how the bus lane starts after the next
junction and the presence of the bus lane start signage.
>
> We would also reflect that your images are not a reflection of
a driver positions. There is no requirement to include the BUS
LANE legend on the carriageway, in this instance the provision
of the bus stop marking takes priority. As such we consider the
bus lane is correctly marked and are not confusing when
considering the provisions of the TSRGD and the TSM. We consider
your images from google maps are not representative and are not
contemporaneous.
>
> We issued the PCN because your vehicle was observed travelling
within a bus lane in CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM CAMDEN STREET on
25/12/2025 at 11:51. Travelling within a bus lane during its
operational hours constitutes a contravention. The sign in place
states: Buses, Dial-a-Ride Buses, Pedal Cycles, Taxis and Solo
Motorcycles Mon – Sun At Any Time. The bus lane is clearly sign
posted and marked out on the road surface.
>
> The onus is on the driver to be aware of the bus lane and its
restrictions. Drivers are not permitted to drive in a bus lane
during its period of operation unless exempt. We have checked
and the signage and markings meet all the statutory requirements
as set down in the Traffic Signs Regulations & General Direction
2016. Please note the onus is on the driver to be aware of road
signs as laid out in the Highway Code, section 120: “Bus and
Tram Lanes… are shown by road markings and signs. You must not
drive or stop in a bus lane during its period of operation
unless the signs indicate you may do so.” (Law RTRA scts 5 & 8).
>
> Transport for London (TfL) has considered your informal
representation. However we do not consider you have established
grounds or suitable reasons for the penalty charge to be
cancelled.
>
> If you do not pay the outstanding Penalty Charge amount, an
Enforcement Notice may be issued. The Enforcement Notice will
provide a further 28 days from the date on which it is served to
make a payment of the outstanding amount, or to make a formal
representation. You must make your representation within the
time frame permitted and in the manner stated on the notice. If
you delay making your representation we may not have to consider
it. A duly made representation will be considered and a formal
decision will be sent to you. If we reject your representation
we will set out your right of appeal to an Independent
Adjudicator and the time limits for doing so.
>
> Please note we may not consider any additional informal
representations that are made before the Enforcement Notice is
issued.
>
> If you do not make a payment or representation, a Charge
Certificate may be issued 28 days from the date of service of
the Enforcement Notice. The Charge Certificate will increase the
charge by 50% of the original amount. If the increased Penalty
Charge is not then paid we may apply to the County Court to
recover the penalty charge which will incur a further charge of
£10 per Penalty Charge Notice.
>
> Amount Outstanding: £80.00
--- End Quote ---
Would anyone be kind enough to assist/represent in this
instance?
Thank you very much,
#Post#: 110153--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: February 17, 2026, 5:46 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The Enforcement Notice increases the penalty charge to £160, so
are you prepared to risk the extra £80 ? If you're not, then
it's pay-up time.
On the other hand, if you are prepared to take the
'double-or-quits' gamble, there is a a little known quirk of the
London Local Authorities Act 1996 under which the PCN was
served, which means their CCTV evidence, (their sole evidence),
could be declared void at an adjudication at London Tribunals.
Our Hippocrates has won some on this basis, so hopefully he will
explain it.
#Post#: 110393--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: eazyseeker
Date: February 19, 2026, 1:56 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi, thank you for the response!
--- Quote ---
> The Enforcement Notice increases the penalty charge to £160,
so are you prepared to risk the extra £80 ? If you're not, then
it's pay-up time.
--- End Quote ---
I can see on their website it's already up to £160...
--- Quote ---
> Our Hippocrates has won some on this basis, so hopefully he
will explain it.
--- End Quote ---
That would be great - [member=24]Hippocrates[/member]? Can I tag
them?
#Post#: 110619--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: February 21, 2026, 3:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
You need to see my "template" by searching other TFL bus lane
cases.
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/tfl-bus-lane-contravention-n-circular-rd-btw-chequers-way-green-lanes/msg30167/#msg30167
Adjust accordingly.
#Post#: 112144--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: eazyseeker
Date: March 5, 2026, 4:07 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks a lot [member=24]Hippocrates[/member] - I've used your
template for the procedural points and built out the signage and
case-specific arguments on top of it; please let me know any
thoughts before I respond:
--- Quote ---
> Dear TfL
> Ref: PCN GX32154918
> VRM: RF22YCX
> I make this formal representation as follows:
> The PCN is unenforceable because:
> 1. The reference to the Interpretation Act is both irrelevant
and confusing, as the legislation pertaining to bus lane
enforcement refers to actions which may be taken by the
authority and/or appellant from the date of the notice.
> 2. The statement: "Any written correspondence before the issue
of the Enforcement Notice will not be treated as a formal
representation" fetters discretion and is contrary to the
legislation, in that it clearly implies that you will send an
Enforcement Notice when the legislation at Schedule 1, paragraph
1(1) of the London Local Authorities Act 1996 states "may":
> "the council concerned may serve a notice…"
> See:
HTML https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/1996/9/schedule/1/enacted
> 3. The statement: "It will not entitle you to the right of
appeal" is both absurd and flies in the face of the law and
natural justice. Further, the next statement about consideration
seems to contradict what has been previously stated.
> 4. The statement: "Failure to respond or contact us within 28
days of the service date of this notice will result in the
Enforcement Notice automatically being sent to you after this
period" similarly fetters discretion and also misstates the time
period.
>
> The alleged contravention did not occur — inadequate and
misleading signage
> This is my strongest ground and I set it out in detail.
> I was travelling south-westbound on Camden Road approaching
the junction with Camden Street. The road layout at this
location is actively misleading for the following reasons:
> (a) Signage obscured by the Congestion Charge sign. The bus
lane advance warning sign (diagram 958 per TSRGD 2016) before
Lyme Street is obscured by the Congestion Charge sign positioned
in front of it. The Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 3, paragraph
15.9 requires that advance indication of a with-flow bus lane
via a diagram 958 sign should be sited with a minimum clear
visibility distance of 45 metres (on 30mph roads). If the sign
is obscured by another sign, this requirement is not met. TfL is
under a duty to provide reasonable signing so as to give the
motorist fair warning of restrictions in force, and this extends
to ensuring signs are not occluded by other street furniture.
> (b) The inside lane funnels directly into the bus lane after
the yellow box junction. A driver lawfully positioned in the
inside lane at the junction, intending to drive straight on as
indicated by the directional arrow at the stop line, is given no
meaningful opportunity to avoid entering the bus lane. The road
layout effectively traps compliant drivers into a contravention.
The presence of the directional arrow indicating straight-ahead
travel is positively misleading in these circumstances, as there
is no safe means of adjusting lane position after the junction.
> (c) Absence of "BUS LANE" road markings on the carriageway. In
your rejection of my informal representation dated 29/01/2026,
you stated there is "no requirement to include the BUS LANE
legend on the carriageway" and that "bus stop marking takes
priority." However, the Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 3,
paragraph 15.14 refers to the BUS LANE marking to diagram 1048
as a standard feature of bus lane signing schemes. The absence
of this marking, in combination with the obscured advance sign
and the misleading lane layout, creates a situation where a
reasonable and attentive driver would not be aware they were
entering a bus lane. The cumulative effect of these deficiencies
is what matters, not whether each individual element is strictly
mandatory in isolation.
> (d) Your rejection of photographic evidence is unreasonable.
In your rejection letter, you dismissed my photographic evidence
on the grounds that the images "are not a reflection of a
driver's positions" and that Google Maps images "are not
representative and are not contemporaneous." This is
unreasonable. My photographs demonstrate the actual visibility
conditions a driver encounters on approach. If TfL's position is
that my evidence is not representative, then TfL bears the
burden of providing contemporaneous photographic evidence from
the driver's perspective showing that the signage was adequate
and clearly visible at the material time. The embedded
photographs on the PCN itself show no relevant signage either
passed or in situ.
> (e) Adjudicator precedent supports appeals on these grounds.
Adjudicators have consistently held that where signage is
obscured, misaligned, or where road markings are inadequate, the
contravention cannot be said to have occurred. The duty is on
TfL to ensure signage is not merely present but clearly visible
and not misleading in the context of the road layout as a whole.
>
> Request for the video evidence
> I ask for a copy of the full video footage of the alleged
contravention as soon as possible. I am entitled to see this
evidence to verify whether it shows any relevant signage visible
to a driver at the material time, and to confirm the
circumstances in which my vehicle entered the bus lane.
>
> Camera authorisation
> I put you to strict proof that the camera used to capture the
alleged contravention has the correct certification under the
Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved
Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England)
Regulations 2022 and Part II and Paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 1 to
the London Local Authorities Act 1996. Please provide the
certification number and confirm that the device was operating
within the conditions of its certification at the material time.
If this is not forthcoming, this will be a further ground of
appeal.
>
> Christmas Day — proportionality
> The alleged contravention occurred on 25 December 2025 at
11:51. This was Christmas Day, when traffic volumes and bus
services are at a minimal level. The bus lane restrictions at
this location operate Mon–Sun at any time. While I accept that
the restriction's legal validity is not dependent on the day, I
ask TfL to exercise its discretion and consider the
proportionality of enforcement on a day when the restriction
serves little or no practical purpose, particularly in
circumstances where the signage is inadequate.
>
> In light of the above, please cancel the PCN.
> Alex Dumitru
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 118641--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: Cantab1985
Date: May 13, 2026, 5:49 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi [member=8365]eazyseeker[/member], how did you get on with
this?
My appeal for A PCN on this same bus lane has just been allowed:
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/re-tfl-being-in-a-bus-lane-camden-road-sw-bnd-from-camden-street
Hopefully yours will be successful too!
#Post#: 118650--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: eazyseeker
Date: May 14, 2026, 12:07 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi [member=7221]Cantab1985[/member],
My PCN merely appears as "On Hold / Representation Received"
since March.
How quickly did you get yours appealed?
#Post#: 118748--------------------------------------------------
Re: Camden PCN - unmarked bus lane CAMDEN ROAD SW-BND FROM
CAMDEN STREET
DIR By: Cantab1985
Date: May 15, 2026, 5:52 am
---------------------------------------------------------
PCN was issued in September, my formal challenge was rejected in
November, tribunal was set for May but TfL decided not to
contest my appeal the day before the tribunal. So, it can take a
while!
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