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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to contest this bus lane fine?

40 replies

SpringCleanDiva · 21/04/2021 09:42

On Monday I got a parking ticket for £100. That is OK because I wasn't actually there for the time they said, so I won't have to pay for that. It was a ticket for dropping off someone at the station and then leaving and they said I stayed there 8 hours.

Yesterday I got a £60 fine for driving down a bus lane. Here is what happened. I dropped my DC off at school. The city has taken it upon itself to close many roads, completely block them off. I was stuck in a traffic jam for 1 hour for 200m. I then went to a shopping center and the road was blocked off due to road works. I then had to drive around the whole city to get there, being constantly diverted to other roads as they were all closed. On the way back I was diverted round the houses again and ended up driving up a one-way road over a bridge that has now turned out to be a bus lane. There was no other road to drive down!!!!

Do you think I can contest this due to the absolute stress and inconvenience the city council has caused as a result of closing roads to make it more pedestrianised and their massive road works on the roads that are left?

OP posts:

SoddingWeddings · 21/04/2021 09:44

Nope, the onus is always on the driver.

Touloser · 21/04/2021 09:45

Yabu. Unless the bus lane was not signed/marked, or signage indicated it was no longer in use, you need to pay up

Aprilshowersandhail · 21/04/2021 09:45

If the diversions took you there of course appeal. Retrace the route and take photos to back your case..

Timeforabiscuit · 21/04/2021 09:46

Did the diversion signs direct you to use the bus route? If so, alot of other people would have been stung so, you could argue the council should waive the fee for the period of the road works.

It's local council election time so the local ward Councillor would be a good person to publicly contact about the issue too.

imalmostthere · 21/04/2021 09:49

No - you drove in the bus lane, doesn't matter why. You did it, so you can't contest it.

GoldenOmber · 21/04/2021 09:50

If the diversions took you down what’s now a bus-only route then yes, appeal, but you’d need to appeal on those grounds not “it’s a real hassle that you’re doing all these road closures now”.

Cocomarine · 21/04/2021 09:52

What has the first £100 fine got to do with anything?
Tip: if you’re going to appeal the bus lane fine, stick to the point in your appeal!

As to the bus lane fine:

if you honestly had no choice and the diversion definitely sent you that way (I’m dubious) then of course you can appeal and win it. They will have thousands of similar claims for the same say.

if you made a mistake and you want them to waive it as compensation for a rubbish day of delays - not a chance.

theotherfossilsister · 21/04/2021 09:58

Are you in Edinburgh? The council here have made everything such a nightmare with the tram works. Horrible for bikes cars and pedestrians.

toocold54 · 21/04/2021 10:02

If the diversions took you there of course appeal. Retrace the route and take photos to back your case

I agree.

Did the diversion tell you to use that lane? If so you can definitely appeal. But take photos as the PP said to prove it before they move the diversion.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 21/04/2021 10:05

You can always appeal. As pps said did the diversion point you down that particular road?

FlibbertyGiblets · 21/04/2021 10:08

sounds like Bristol
Retrace route as pps have said, photograph signage. If you were directed to divert on to a bus lane then yes, do appeal.
Don't ramble on about the hassle.

Good luck!

sbhydrogen · 21/04/2021 10:08

You've nothing to lose from trying! Good luck.

MoltenLasagne · 21/04/2021 10:09

I once got a fine for driving in a bus lane when there was a crash and the police were diverting cars to drive round it.

When I challenged it, it got dropped straight away, presumably because lots of other people had received similar fines and challenged for the exact same reason. If the diversion took you down a bus lane then I'm sure you'll find similar.

LagunaBubbles · 21/04/2021 10:11

It woukd all depend if the diversion took you down the bus lane which isn't clear from your post.

Hilda40 · 21/04/2021 10:34

I inadvertently drove down a bus lane in Newcastle, they sent me a friendly warning as it was a first offence.

Lostlemuria · 21/04/2021 10:34

I appealed a bus lane fine as I turned across it to enter a car park, they said I’d still entered the bus lane, it was bullshit but I just paid it. Don’t bother, just pay it.

KarmaStar · 21/04/2021 11:21

Did you drive the right way through the one way street?😁
It sounds like you were confused due to the diversions but unless there were no signs up then you will have to pay.
If you're unsure go back,if no signs of they are too small or unclear then take photos and try your luck?

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/04/2021 11:27

Let them know that their diversions caused this and that they may want to have a look. Maybe it is not as clear as they think. See what they say!

But once you are on a one way street what else are you supposed to do?

SoupDragon · 21/04/2021 11:28

We're the diversions official diversions or just you trying to find a route that wasn't jammed with traffic or shut?

Goodbyecustardtart · 21/04/2021 11:35

Cambridge??

Original poster

SpringCleanDiva · 21/04/2021 12:18

Cambridge

My sat nav took me all over the place and I went one way over this bridge, all fine and then coming back over it is apparently a bus lane. There were loads of yellow diversion signs. It is possible that there was another way but my sat nav took me over the bridge. It’s not a pink/ terracotta painted bus Lane, it’s like a normal road from what I can see with a half faded bus Lane painted on the road.

OP posts:

poppycat10 · 21/04/2021 12:21

If it was your satnav and not their diversion you'll have to pay (assuming there was clear signage that it was a bus lane and when you were and weren't allowed to use it - you probably need to go back and check - if there isn't, take photos and appeal).

LeroyJenkinssss · 21/04/2021 12:25

Unless the diversion signage pointed you down that road I’d imagine you’d have no recourse. Satnav is notorious for sending people down ridiculous routes (mine wants me to cut down a clear no entry road - next to the police station!) but the onus is always on the driver to look and not blindly follow it.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/04/2021 12:26

@imalmostthere

No - you drove in the bus lane, doesn't matter why. You did it, so you can't contest it.

This isn't correct, of course it matters why! If OP can demonstrate that the bus lane signs and markings weren't sufficiently visible or adequate to give drivers reasonable notice and a reasonable opportunity to take an alternative route, then she has a good chance with an appeal.

YellowTwinklyStar · 21/04/2021 12:29

You shouldn't just follow your sat navigation, especially during roadworks! If the signs took you that way you'd have a chance.

Your £100 parking ticket is completely irrelevant.

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