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#Post#: 120333--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fahim128
Date: June 1, 2026, 12:50 pm
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Hi, any thoughts please? I need to submit by 3rd! Again, really
sorry to be a pain!
#Post#: 120462--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fahim128
Date: June 2, 2026, 4:48 pm
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Hi Hippocrates, have you had a chance to think about this
please. I really need to give a response in the morning
#Post#: 120593--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fahim128
Date: June 3, 2026, 9:44 am
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Really desperate now - sorry guys but is there any help you can
give? If not I guess I’ll have to just pay the fine but I
#Post#: 120647--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fahim128
Date: June 3, 2026, 4:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi guys
I ended up deciding to fight it anyway and escalate it to
tribunal, don't have anything to lose if i fight it anyway.
Here's my representation letter, im expecting them to reject it
and me having to escalate it, so i'd appreciate some support in
formulating a proper argument. Any advice will be much
appreciated!
3 June 2026
Highways, Transportation and Parking Services
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
PO Box 14790
London
E14 2WA
FORMAL REPRESENTATIONS AGAINST PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE
PCN Number: TT61001743 | Vehicle: VA17SJO | Date of
Contravention: 07/02/2026
Dear Sir or Madam,
I write to make formal representations against the above Penalty
Charge Notice, issued in respect of vehicle VA17SJO for the
alleged contravention of ‘being in a bus lane’ on Cambridge
Heath Road on 7 February 2026. I am the registered keeper and
driver of the vehicle.
I submit these representations on two grounds, both of which I
respectfully contend are sufficient, individually and
cumulatively, to warrant cancellation of the PCN.
GROUND 1: INADEQUATE SIGNAGE — INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO
ESTABLISH CONTRAVENTION
The enforcement footage and still images submitted in support of
this PCN do not clearly show a sign to diagram 959 (as required
under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016)
in a manner sufficient to confirm that the bus lane restriction
was properly authorised and signed at the point of alleged
contravention.
In the enforcement footage, a blue sign is partially visible to
the rear of the scene. However, it is substantially obscured by
tree vegetation such that its content cannot be read or
confirmed. It is therefore not possible to establish from the
footage alone that:
1.
2.
unobstructed at the time of the alleged contravention; or
3.
of vehicle to which the restriction applied.
The burden of proof in PCN proceedings rests with the issuing
authority, not the motorist. Where the evidence submitted does
not clearly establish that the restriction was properly signed
in accordance with the relevant legislation, the Penalty Charge
Notice cannot be sustained. I submit that this is precisely such
a case.
I note that the council has not provided any supplementary
evidence to address this deficiency — for example, a
ground-level photograph of the sign taken at or near the date of
the alleged contravention, a signing schedule, or a copy of the
Traffic Regulation Order confirming authorised signage for this
location. In the absence of such evidence, the footage alone is
insufficient to discharge the council’s burden.
I formally request that the council provides the following
documents in connection with these representations:
4.
this bus lane on Cambridge Heath Road at the date of the alleged
contravention;
5.
this location, taken at a date reasonably proximate to 7
February 2026; and
6.
requirements (size, placement, condition, and visibility) at the
time of the alleged contravention.
GROUND 2: MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES — BRIEF, INADVERTENT, AND
IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED INCURSION
Without prejudice to Ground 1, and in the event that the council
considers the signage to be adequate, I respectfully draw
attention to the following mitigating circumstances.
Having reviewed the enforcement footage, my vehicle was present
within the bus lane for no more than approximately 7–10 metres,
and was not at any point wholly within it. Upon becoming aware
that I had inadvertently drifted into the bus lane, I took
immediate steps to return to the traffic lane, having first
checked for vehicles to my right as safety required. The
incursion was momentary, minor, and self-corrected without
delay.
I submit that the imposition of a full Penalty Charge Notice in
these circumstances is disproportionate and that this case
properly falls within the category of minor and inadvertent
contraventions where the exercise of discretion in the
motorist’s favour is warranted.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set out above, I respectfully request that this
Penalty Charge Notice be cancelled in full. In particular:
7.
signage compliant with TSRGD 2016, and the council has not
supplemented this with any ground-level or TRO evidence. The
burden of proof has not been met.
8.
the contravention — a brief, partial, and immediately corrected
incursion — renders the full penalty disproportionate in the
circumstances.
Should the council reject these representations, I wish to be
notified accordingly so that I may exercise my right of appeal
to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
Yours faithfully,
#Post#: 120950--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fahim128
Date: June 6, 2026, 11:48 am
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Really could use any help!
#Post#: 120958--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: June 6, 2026, 1:40 pm
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Hold fire.
Forget all that.
I refer to my informal challenge and require you to consider it
again as formal representations against the Enforcement Notice
save for one amendment which I itemise as 1. below.
1. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no evidence of the sign
to diagram 958 allegedly passed in the video.
2. The alleged incursion did not occur and the sign to diagram
959 is not placed where it should be i.e. at the start of the
solid white line.
In light of the above, I request cancellation of the PCN and EN.
If you want my assistance, please follow my advice to the
letter. PM sent. DEADLINE WAS 4TH JUNE.
Just checked website still shows £160. Do it now.
VA17SJO
Remaining Balance
£160.00
* Mandatory Field
Payment For
Penalty Charge Notice
PCN Number
TT61001743
Amount * £160.00
#Post#: 120960--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fahim128
Date: June 6, 2026, 2:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
So I already submitted the letter that I posted 2 days ago -
what should I do now? Also, it’s the 6th June now so I’ve passed
the 4th June deadline anyway?
#Post#: 120965--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: June 6, 2026, 5:00 pm
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--- Quote from: fahim128 link ---
>
> Really could use any help!
>
--- End Quote ---
OK, fine, but the regulars on here are all volunteers and give
their time freely.
If nobody posts and you're getting near the deadline, just
submit it. It reads well enough, but it will be rejected
whatever its content. Thats how councils ruthlessly game the
system - refuse reps, re-offer discount, and watch the money
flow in. Most people, (like about 95%) just cough-up being
scared of the adjudicators, and also the doubling of their
financial risk. Cash from PCN penalties even with most paid at
the discounted rate net London councils and TfL over £600
million a year; a Nice Little Earner.
#Post#: 120974--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: June 6, 2026, 6:33 pm
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--- Quote from: fahim128 link ---
>
> So I already submitted the letter that I posted 2 days ago -
what should I do now? Also, it’s the 6th June now so I’ve passed
the 4th June deadline anyway?
>
--- End Quote ---
That's fine which is why it is showing £160 in that case. But I
advise putting mine in as a supplementary and/or retracting the
other one.
Been busy with big fish and heat sorry. Like a Pre action
protocol letter to RBK.
HTML https://www.ftla.uk/news-press-articles/that-kingston-box-junction/msg120975/#msg120975
I have sent you a PM and seriously suggest you let me personally
take care of this for you.
2250205130 They failed to attend which they MUST.
At this scheduled personal hearing the Appellant was represented
by Mr Morgan, who appeared in person via MS Teams.
The Enforcement Authority did not attend and was not
represented, either in vision, by telephone, or in person.
....................
I note that the Enforcement Authority has produced a witness
statement from its authorised officer but Paragraph 7(6) of
Schedule 1 to the 1996 Act provides that nothing in
sub-paragraph (1) or (4) [Admissibility of certain evidence]
above makes a document admissible as evidence in proceedings
under paragraph 6 above unless a copy of it has not less than 7
days before the hearing, been served on the appellant; and
nothing in those paragraphs makes a document admissible as
evidence of anything other than the matters shown on a record
produced by a prescribed device if that person, not less than
three days before the hearing or within such further time as the
traffic adjudicator may in special circumstances allow, serves a
notice on the council requiring attendance at the hearing or
trial of the person who signed the document.
The Appellant’s representative served notice within the
prescribed time for the attendance of the named officer, but
they have not attended.
Therefore, I cannot find as facet that on this occasion a
contravention did occur.
Accordingly, this appeal must be allowed.
#Post#: 120976--------------------------------------------------
Re: TOWER HAMLETS - 34 Being in a bus lane - Cambridge Heath
Road
DIR By: Hippocrates
Date: June 6, 2026, 6:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Incandescent link ---
>
> [quote author=fahim128 link=topic=9981.msg120950#msg120950
date=1780764525]
> Really could use any help!
>
--- End Quote ---
OK, fine, but the regulars on here are all volunteers and give
their time freely.
If nobody posts and you're getting near the deadline, just
submit it. It reads well enough, but it will be rejected
whatever its content. Thats how councils ruthlessly game the
system - refuse reps, re-offer discount, and watch the money
flow in. Most people, (like about 95%) just cough-up being
scared of the adjudicators, and also the doubling of their
financial risk. Cash from PCN penalties even with most paid at
the discounted rate net London councils and TfL over £600
million a year; a Nice Little Earner.
[/quote]
99% actually and less than 1% fight.
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