Mumsnet jury - traffic contravention - pictures included

[WunchtimeIsOver]

I have been caught driving in a bus lane and have no 'legal ground to make a representation' i.e. it was me and I did drive in the bus lane.

The notice does say, however, 'we will consider exercising our discretion and may cancel the penalty charge notice if there are suitable mitigating circumstances.'

The website then says that 'satnav directions' and 'not understanding the signs' or being a 'visitor' are rarely reason enough for cancelling the charge.

Where I drive regularly, bus lanes run for long stretches, are painted red and always have good sight lines as you come up to them. Oh and I have never driven in a bus lane before now.

The only other mitigating reason I have is thinking it's a poorly constructed / sign-posted junction. I've included pictures from google maps and the irony that the google vehicle snapped someone doing the same thing I did is not lost on me.

I needed to make a left turn (as shown in view 1, view 2 shows the set up from the other end of the junction).

I don't know, I am an experienced driver and my initial reaction on getting the notice is that they've almost designed this junction to be able to issue regular PCNs (at round £11 per metre if you pay within 14 days or £22 per metre if not). I have never come across a junction where to turn left you take a second lane, but perhaps they are more common than I realise?

If this is an unusual junction however, and bearing in mind the correct lane is extremely narrow, particularly relative to the lanes to either side, then I think signs / writing on the road (beyond the arrow) should positively say where other vehicles should go, not just where they shouldn't.

But AIBU to think this and what mitigating circumstances could there ever be that would be 'suitable' (i.e. is it worth me even trying, or should I just 'suck it up'?

The fact there is a van in the bus lane on the google earth images shows how many people must make the same mistake! Scamming council!

And the fact the van is reversing out ...

Bloody hell, that's unreal!
So the car is entering the road correctly but the van is using the microscopic bus lane?
That's truly bizarre and surely it would make turning left for most vehicles a lot more tricky and also increases the dangers to pedestrians crossing the road at that junction?

The purpose of it is apparently to stop large vehicles using it as a rat run (the 'normal' lane has a width restriction). Which if there was a problem with lots of vans and lorries on the residential streets is understandable. But to then fine confused car drivers who fall foul of the bus lane is simply to make money. They could easily exercise discretion. But I guess it's hard to turn down when you're making about £1m a year out of the confusion....