Rye Lane bus lane appeal - help requested

[Rich R]

Hi everyone

I received a PCN for driving in the southbound Rye Lane bus lane, just after Barclays, the other day...which I'm initially embarrassed about, it's not something I'd choose to do. Nor (before any non-drivers start jumping down my throat) do I think motorists should break the law etc...

However, I've looked on streetview, and the signage and road markings seem to fall short, on several counts, of Traffic Regulations requirements. In particular

- the warning sign is damaged, and located less than 20m (should be 30m) from the required left turn

- the required left turn has a dotted line across it, indicating that it's a junction rather than the continuation of main traffic flow

- start of the bus lane is not marked with any dotted line at all, let alone a 30m taper which is required

- text on the road itself is defaced and hard to read (looks even worse on the northbound)

I just wondered (as I was a visitor to Dulwich) if anyone might be kind enought to confirm (if it's on your way home) that the streetview images, and my description above) are still accurate? If the Council has fixed the matter, then it's my fault and I'll take my expensive grief...if not, then I'll appeal.

Would be enormously grateful. Thanks!

Richard

[JohnL]

I see people caught there all the time - I usually notice the ones that go through, notice and reverse back. It's a strange junction if you don't know it - but it must have been challenged before - so I assumed it was legal.

They also dig up that road every month or so - street view was about a year or so ago at least mind.

The old one way system is gone now - so I'm surprised it wasn't changed then to some extent.

[Lowlander]

Why not just informally appeal, even if they refuse you can still get the 14 days to pay the reduced fine. Will take you half an hour and you've nothing to lose.

After that you can decide whether to formally appeal, if you do, ask yourself what your time is worth, as it's a long slog, and worth doing on principle only!

[Rich R]

Thanks Lowlander, probably will - I'd like to get my facts straight first though. I'll only be appealing if I think I have a proper case; if I'm in the wrong then I'll "happily" pay up and then get it in the ear from the wife ;-)

[the-e-dealer]

That's not the only place Southwark where the Bus lane Signage is Wrong/ Lacking

[Rich R]

Yup - the northbound is even worse!

[the-e-dealer]

Wrong on South Circ too!

[Lowlander]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Wrong on South Circ too!

Which part e-dealer? Not the bit near the Horniman going downhill towards the Grove?

[the-e-dealer]

No comment.

[Toby]

Appeal every time, I think that they intentionally make the signage very bad so that people do park there innocently. Then have the sneaky camera cars snapping away at ?120 a ticket!!! Not that I am bitter about my tickets!!!!!

[Rich R]

Thanks everyone - if anyone can take a look this week and let me know, I'd be really grateful, thanks!

[Rich R]

Thanks Toby - there are pretty rigorous requirements for the Council to penalise cars in the bus lane. My understanding is that ANY failure to provide the required signage / road markings means that PCNs are unenforceable...so if you think the Council's not on top of its game, then appeals are entirely in order.

While I'm in favour of most bus lane designs that I see around and about, it is important for Councils to do their bit to make them clear. Apart from the nit-picky legal stuff, it's just bloody dangerous if drivers have to go around peering at every single lamppost just in case there's an obscure, badly-marked bus-lane coming up...

[the-e-dealer]

Looking on Streetview Its pretty obvious its a bus lane. Funny because you can just make out a Police Car Leaving it!