Unwarranted Bus Lane Penalty Charge Notice?!

[astraldream]

Hi, I wonder if anybody can help me. I recently received a bus lane penalty charge notice for 'entering, proceeding or waiting in a bus lane when prohibited' by Liverpool City Council for a contravention at Mount Pleasant Bus Gateway in Liverpool 3 which I paid immediately by credit card as the letter threatened an increase in the fine from £30 to £60 if not paid promptly. I am normally careful not to enter bus lanes and was surprised I had received a fine, but recall that it was not until I entered Mount Pleasant that I realised that the road had recently been designated as bus lane from the road markings. There were no signs posted. Mount Pleasant had previously been a through road, and not designated as a bus lane. I have since been sent a couple of articles from the Liverpool Echo which support my argument that there was inappropriate signage and that the bus lane is to be repealed following several similar complaints. Articles are enclosed as links. Does anyone know where I stand on reclaiming my £30 from Liverpool City Council and have an idea what I could say to them to ensure that I am repaid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Cheryl http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-31440466/ http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-31417179/

[bluebottle]

Re: Unwarranted Bus Lane Penalty Charge Notice?!

Yes. You need to ask Liverpool City Council for a copy of the Traffic Order applicable to the bus lane. If they cannot produce this or no Traffic Order is in existence, the fine is unlawful and must be refunded immediately. However, if this does prove to be the case, any other fines LCC have handed out in connection with this bus lane will be unlawful as well and will have to be refunded. That could prove very expensive for LCC.

Hope this is of help. If you need any other help, come back onto the thread.