I was fined £130 for pulling into a bus lane to let an ambulance pass… it’s not fair

A MAN is furious after he was slapped with a £130 fine for pulling into a bus lane in order to let an ambulance through.

James Sheridan-Vigor was issued with the penalty after he briefly moved into the lane in Walthamstow, north-east London on September 19.

He took to Facebook to ask how he could appeal the fine again after his initial appeal was rejected.

He wrote on the social media site: “Even after I appealed they said they issued it correctly and that emergency vehicles have the right to use the bus lane so myself (and two other cars) ‘would be more likely to obstruct their path than assist them’ – which I totally understand.

“However, when a bus in sat at a bus stop and an ambulance can’t magically drive through a bus it has to overtake on the right.”

He added: “So what I’m getting from this is they’ve either made a mistake looking at the evidence.

“Or we’re not supposed to help out our emergency services and get out of their way.”

Many commentators slammed the fine, calling it a “disgrace”, saying drivers should be able to make way for emergency services in a hurry without having to worry about getting a fine.

One person wrote: “That’s a disgrace. The bus lane is there for traffic flow, not to make money from decent members of the public. It’s perfectly clear you’re not using it to overtake traffic.”

Another commented: “Afraid the law is that you are not allowed in bus lanes, stop in yellow box or cross red lights even for emergency vehicles – stupid law as you may have even help save someone’s life.”

After James appealed the fine he got a letter that stated: “Under current legislation a vehicle must not drive, park or stop in a bus lane during its period of operation unless the signs indicate that a vehicle may do so.

“I must advise that emergency vehicles may use the bus lane when responding to an emergency and therefore entering a bus lane when dealing with an emergency vehicle would be more likely to obstruct their path than assist them.”

The letter added: “A motorist must not put themselves in contravention of the law when dealing with an emergency vehicle unless directed to by an on duty police officer.”

The fine was eventually said to be a mistake and cancelled after contacted Waltham Forest Council.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We have investigated this incident and this fine was issued in error. It has now been cancelled. We apologise for the mistake.”

Another driver claimed that they had received a fine for pulling into the bus lane to let an emergency vehicle pass on the same road.

They wrote: “This happened to me, same place. Lost appeal! Basically bus lane a no go… we allow the ambulance space to undertake into the bus lane or overtake us. I even asked Stella to have a look at the PCN as felt it was unjustified – still had to pay it.”

The council has confirmed that the policy says if an emergency vehicle is on a call, such as showing flashing lights and using its siren, and a driver pulls aside to make way, they will not get a ticket – even if it is in a bus lane.

Although if the emergency vehicle is not on call then drivers can get a ticket if they pull into a bus lane to let it pass.