PCN bus gate - Beresford Road, Reading Options

[mo786]

Hi

I got a PCN for driving over a BUS GATE in Beresford Road, Reading.

It was dark and I was unfamiliar with the area.

My excuse is that as I was approaching the road, the left lane narrows significantly and I thought it was possibly a bike lane (it is definitely far narrower than a normal car lane) - so I ended up on the bus gate. I spent a few seconds thinking about it as I have never seen a bus gate before and then drove over it - hence the ticket. I didn't reverse as other traffic nearby.

I think in the cold light of day it may be hard to form an argument for appeal because the signs are there but my annoyance is that I don't think it is laid out as clearly as it could be. I am not sure how well the line is marked on the ground where it becomes hatched.

As you can see on Google, the point at which it splits is very last second and the line a bit faded. But I spose I would have to confirm this by getting a current photo.

The road itself is width restricted so they obviously have the left lane for cars and then the bus gate has a camera on it for anything other than busses.

From what I can work out, a bus gate itself is not a legally defined thing but a bus lane is. Does a bus gate also have to be a bus lane? I think I would have to ask the council to confirm if the bus gate is legally a bus lane with a TRO.... but does it have to be?

The signage seems to comply with the guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/782724/traffic-signs-manual-chapter-03.pdf)


Here is the Google Maps from the approach

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.4583786,-0....3312!8i6656

I'll take it on the chin if I have to but I feel it could be laid out better. At the very least the entire bus section could be red - I know it doesn't have to be but at least it would then be obvious on approach.

Any thoughts?

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[cp8759]

Got the result. Lost

Well you decided to represent yourself so you only have yourself to blame. I won a technical appeal against Reading just this week. There's no point in me suggesting a review as you seem to want to do everything yourself, so I'll leave you to it.

Frankly I'm not really sure why you bothered posting here at all.