Pensioner sent 14 council letters for driving in bus lane – even though he'd paid fine
Graham Clarke paid the fine straight away after his satnav directed him into a bus lane in Tunbridge Wells.
A pensioner who immediately paid a fine for driving in a bus lane has been sent 14 letters from the council telling demanding money.
Graham Clarke, 82, visited Tunbridge Wells for the first time on 19 November when his sat nav directed him into the bus lane. Several days later he received a letter informing him that he had been fined.
Clarke, who claimed the bus lane was not clearly marked, nevertheless paid the fine straight away as he doesn’t believe in “owing anyone” and already realised his mistake.
But a few days later he received another fine, with the same reference number and same offence. Clarke, from Petts Wood, London, says he spent 54 minutes waiting on the line with Tunbridge Wells Council before being told his payment had been received and the debt cleared.
Despite the assurances from the council, Clarke received the same letter demanding he pay the fine every day for the next seven days. Three days later, on 4 December, the retired printer got another fine. He received another on 8 December, and on 11 December he received three in one day.
He said: "They just kept coming. Yesterday I received three which makes 14. I am just absolutely flabbergasted. It is harassment. They are threatening me with the bailiffs and extra costs in these letters but I have paid the fine.”
‘I deserve an apology’
The grandad-of-10 said it has left him feeling stressed and he does not know how to stop the situation.
He added: “I hold Tunbridge Wells council responsible as the complaints line is discontinued and the only way is to speak to the traffic parking office line and wait in the queue, which I did last week when I waited 54 minutes one day and again for 38 minutes another day. I think I deserve an apology at the very least, if not compensation for the telephone costs and the time spent on the phone.”
A spokeswoman for the council said the issue was down to “an isolated software issue”, adding: “We are very sorry that Mr Clarke has received duplicate letters relating to the same case… We will be in touch with Mr Clarke to explain this and to apologise. We are working with our software provider to help prevent this from happening again.”
Can I appeal a bus lane fine?
If you have feel a penalty charge notice (PCN) for driving in a bus lane is not justified, you are entitled to appeal the fine.
To appeal the fine – known as “making a representation” – you should first contact the local council where the fine was issued, in writing. There is usually a 28-day period after the date of service of the PCN when the appeal can be made.
In appealing the fine, you should state reasons why you are appealing. These can include not owning the vehicle at the time, the vehicle was stolen, you moved into a bus lane to avoid a collision or emergency vehicle, inadequate signage – or refuting that the alleged offence even took place.
Along with your reasons, you should also include any evidence that is available – such as photos, witness statements, Google Street View images or receipts.
An appeal will be heard at a tribunal and the fine cancelled if it is upheld. However, it the tribunal rejects the appeal, you will be liable to pay the full payment.
You cannot appeal a PCN after paying the penalty charge.
