Thousands of drivers paying invalid fines, AA says

An image of a bus lane sign showing what times you can access the lane. Underneath, another sign reads bus lane cameras.Image source, Getty Images
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Thousands of drivers across London have been paying invalid fixed penalty notices (FPNs) due to enforcement and restriction cameras that lack updated certification, according to the AA.

Recent rulings by London Tribunals' traffic adjudicators show at least six councils have issued such FPNs.

The AA raised concerns about those who appealed against the penalty and did not have their FPNs cancelled after the first complaint.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said a revamp of Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) which govern local road restrictions was now being proposed.

'Outrageous'

London boroughs Lambeth, Croydon, Harrow, Redbridge and Greenwich, and the City of London, were unable to provide paperwork to validate the FPNs they had issued in the three weeks to 4 January.

The adjudicators cancelled these penalties, but the AA believe this is just "the tip of the iceberg".

An analysis by AA, based on London Councils, external statistics, showed 56% of appeals made against bus lane penalties last year were either upheld or not contested.

For moving traffic offences such as stopping in a yellow box when not allowed, the figure was 35%.

Altogether, nearly 7,300 appeals were successful.

But hundreds of drivers who received these FPNs paid within 14 days to secure the 50% discount for early settlement, the AA said.

Image caption,

The AA called the issuing of the FPNs "outrageous"

Southwark News reported that last year, 4,478 FPNs amounting to a total of more than £500,000 resulted from motorists entering a bus lane in Rotherhithe, external that did not have a valid TMO.

Luke Bosdet, from the AA's motoring policy unit, said: "Dishing out fines for any restriction that has expired is outrageous.

"The lack of accountability for councils' road traffic enforcement needs to be reviewed by the Department for Transport," he said.

A DfT spokesman said: "Local authorities are responsible for local traffic measures and they should make sure penalties for the use of bus lanes are fair and proportionate.

"They must ensure their Traffic Management Orders are up to date, and we will be sharing proposals to modernise this process, making it more efficient for local authorities."

London Councils said it encourages those issued with invalid FPNs to report the matter to their local authority and to appeal against any rejections with London Tribunals.

The spokesperson added that they could not comment on decisions made by individual London boroughs.

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