Parking, bus lane and bus gate enforcement

If you believe that the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) you received should not have been issued, or that there are special reasons why it should be cancelled, the following notes explain how the appeal works.

If you wish to pay the 50 percent discount amount, then you must pay within 21 days of the date the ticket was issued. The full amount is due when the 21 day discount period has run out.

If you wish to accept liability and claim the reduced amount you must pay within 21 days.

Paying the penalty will close the case. However, we will consider any representations regardless of whether the penalty is paid.

Challenge a bus lane penalty charge notice

Can I appeal a bus lane or bus gate fine?

Only the registered owner of the vehicle can appeal under one of the following categories:

• the alleged contravention did not occur;
• you have also received a fixed penalty notice from the Police for the same contravention (we will inform you which ticket will be upheld. Both cannot be pursued);
• you were not the owner of the vehicle on the date the notice was issued;
• you are the registered owner but a hire company;
• the vehicle was under the control of a vehicle trader who signed a PCN accepting responsibility whilst the vehicle is in their control;
• the vehicle was taken without consent;
• the penalty charge exceeds the relevant amount;
• other.

There are two stages of appeal

Stage 1: Representations

You may make a formal representation using your Bus Lane Penalty Charge as this is your Notice to Owner.

There are several grounds that allow you to do this and they are on the Notice to Owner.

We will review your case and:

• If your representations are successful, we will cancel the fine and confirm this in writing to you.
• If we reject your representations we will write to you to let you know the reasons why and let you know how to appeal to the independent adjudicator. If your representations were made within 21 days of the Date of Service on the PCN then we will give you a further 21 days from the date of our response letter to pay the reduced charge of £35. 

Make a representation against a bus lane and bus gate penalty charge notice

Stage 2: Appeals to the independent adjudicators

Your case will be considered by an experienced lawyer who is not a part of the Council. You cannot appeal to the independent adjudicators until you have been told by the Council that your case has been rejected.

You may choose whether to attend the hearing in person or deal with it by post.

The Adjudicators’ decision is final and you and the Council must obey it.

You can find out more about the independent adjudicators by visiting the Traffic Penalty Tribunal website.

If you wish to contest a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) please remember:

• Make Representations within 28 days of the date of the Notice to Owner.
• Tell us as much as you can about your reasons for believing the ticket should be cancelled.
• Provide us with any evidence you have to support your claim.