Bus lane and bus gate enforcement - Print version

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How to challenge a bus lane or bus gate penalty charge notice

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 [https://parkingmax.co.uk/Parking/Coventry]

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 [https://coventry.tarantoportal.com/].

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 [http://www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/].

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.

We are a member of the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London (PATROL) Adjudication Joint Committee [https://www.patrol-uk.info/]. The Joint Committee publishes an Annual Statement of Accounts [https://www.patrol-uk.info/publications/] which is subject to External Audit.

Bus lane enforcement and CCTV

Bus lanes

We operate a bus lane enforcement scheme to improve public transport reliability, journey times and to encourage sustainable travel. Bus lane signs and markings clearly indicate both the start and end of bus lanes and highlight the hours of operation. If there are no times indicated, then the bus lane is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When signed the only exemptions are;

  • a pedal cycle
  • a bus
  • wheelchair accessible taxis 
  • an emergency services vehicle when responding to an emergency

Bus lane enforcement

  • The enforcement of bus lanes is carried out by Fixed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras which record all vehicles using the bus lanes.
  • After identifying those vehicles that are not allowed to use the bus lanes an evidence pack is assembled and a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued by post from Coventry City Council to the registered owner/hirer of the vehicle in contravention of the regulations.
  • For a bus lane contravention the charge is £70, reduced by 50% to £35 if paid within 21 days of the Date of Service*.
  • If the PCN remains unpaid within 28 days this charge is increased to £105.
  • If you believe that the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) you received should not have been issued you can challenge the penalty charge notice [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/117/parking/279/parking_bus_lane_and_bus_gate_enforcement/6]

*applies to Bus Lane PCNs issued after 31/05/2022

Further information regarding bus lane enforcement. [http://www.patrol-uk.info]

Bus gate locations

  • Gosford Street
  • Sky Blue Way
  • Stoney Road
  • Tile Hill Lane
  • Warwick Road (Currently suspended due to building work in Spon End)
  • Whittle Arch

Bus gates at Park Road, Gosford Street and Warwick Road

If you were fined for using any of the three bus gates between 10 December 2015 and 21 April 2016, you can claim a refund by writing to us.  

Please email parkingappeals@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:parkingappeals@coventry.gov.uk] or write to Parking Services Team, PO Box 15, Coventry, CV1 5RR. Please include your name, address, registration number or PCN number, and how you paid your fine.

Bus lane suspensions

Coventry City Council has suspended a number of bus lanes in the city.

All bus lanes in Coventry operate 24 hours a day. 

The bus lanes that are suspended are: 

  • Herald Avenue (right onto A45)
  • Kirby Corner Road / Sir Henry Parkes Road
  • Radford Road (inbound)
  • The Butts (inbound)

Bus Lanes permanently removed/revoked

  • Ansty Road outbound at Clifford Bridge Road
  • Ansty Rd inbound at Burns Road
  • Binley Road
  • Foleshill Road/Old Church Road (inbound 95m and outbound 125m)
  • Foleshill Road (Broad Street to Junction 1 (Inbound and from Matlock Road outbound)
  • Holbrook Lane outbound
  • Lockhurst Lane (inbound)
  • London Road outbound St James Lane
  • Tile Hill Gyratory

Code of Practice for CCTV and Bus Lane Enforcement [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6640/code_of_practice_-_parking_and_bus_lane_enforcement_anpr_cameras]

Protocol for Use of Bodycams [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6641/ceo_protocol_for_the_use_of_bodycams]

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