Bus Lane Penalty Charge

[ElleLeopine]

Hello, does anyone have any experience of successfully appealing a Bus Lane Penalty Charge?
I have just got one in the post from Swindon Council. This is not a town I know well at all, and it was my first time driving there. I was following sat nav directions, and the photos provided on the form don't clearly show that I was in a bus lane.
What are my chances of getting it overturned? I could really do without a random £70 charge at the moment!

There is a bus lane by the designer outlet that catches everyone out. I don’t think Swindon council let anyone off for it. I see people complaining on Facebook all the time. No harm in trying though

@MymateDave that is exactly where I was! How annoying!

If you were in a bus lane what would your defence be exactly?

Obviously the OP is contesting that it wasn't clear. It was obvious to me, anyway 🙄

Oh ok. I didn't get that from the OP. I read it as saying the evidence wasn't clear - not the road layout or signage. Maybe you're right though in which case it might be worth a try.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/19585371.driver-vows-not-return-swindon-30-designer-outlet-bus-lane-fine/

Worth a go if it won’t risk increasing the fine but unless the signage is very obscure I don’t fancy your chances

I’ve had one in London. It’s annoying as I feel like it’s often designed to catch people out (& generate revenue). But I think it’s hard to appeal on the grounds that you didn’t notice as they’ll probably say there was signage.

Yes I did - in photos they sent you couldn't see the bus lane markings - actually I couldn't see anything at the time as it was v dark and raining v hard - but it was the markings that swung it - well worth doing in my view - normally a 5 min job to do via a form on the councils website

Its pretty well signposted. Red tarmac with Bus Gate written all over it, 2 blue signs and a camera sign that says 'Bus Lane Cameras'.

I don't feel that it was well signposted at all. And sat nav merrily took me that. I didn't know not to go the way it was telling me!

I knew you were going to say it was there. Many sat navs take you that way.

Satnav told me to wouldn't be a defence! But if it's not clear in the picture it might be worth a try. We have one coming out of the hospital that catches everyone. Busy T junction with a zebra crossing, you're so busy trying not to try and hit anyone or anything by the time you've clocked it you're in it. Absolute cash cow for someone.

This you OP?

Clearly I meant to add this link - serves me right

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/bmw-driver-followed-sat-nav-12564727

I think it's clear - I know sat navs send people that way but it's signposted, the road is a different colour as you go into it and there are camera warning signs.

Honestly, that's unkind

I got caught out there about 4 years ago

I would pay the fine - looking on streetview there's at least 4 signs at the junction, and one leading up to it that show its a bus lane.

The chances of getting let off will be slim.