Letter: Onslow Street Bus Lane – How Many Others Have Been Erroneously Fined?

Published on: 3 Mar, 2024
Updated on: 3 Mar, 2024

From: Brian Matthews

In response to: Bus Lane Fines Are Not Used to Raise SCC Income

I was recently surprised to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from Surrey County Council for driving in the Onslow Street bus lane on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago. I was pretty sure that driving in the bus lane was permissible on a Sunday and so went back and checked the signage.

Bus lane signs (before and after change)

I was correct, the signage positioned near the exit to the bus station to drivers turning left into Onslow Street, stated that the bus lane is in operation “Mon – Sat 7-10am 4-7pm”. I contacted SCC with this information and they admitted that the signage was incorrect and should have been replaced. I have also subsequently had the PCN cancelled with immediate effect.

Onslow Street bus lane signs – SCC letter

I do wonder how many others have had an incorrect penalty for driving in the bus lane on Onslow St and are unaware of the fact?

This letter will be forwarded to SCC inviting a response. Ed

Responses to Letter: Onslow Street Bus Lane – How Many Others Have Been Erroneously Fined?

Jim Allen Reply

March 3, 2024 at 4:42 pm

Anyone tried to catch a bus after midnight before 06:00? Thought not!

The same as Stoke Road. It might be a revenue raiser but it is certainly a loss of 50 per cent road capacity after midnight.

Questions to SCC: why do we have 24 hourr bus lanes enforcement when buses only run 18 hrs a day instead of only during rush hours? How much time do the bus lanes actually save buses. Milliseconds?
Helen Avery Reply

March 3, 2024 at 9:51 pm

I too received a letter from SCC telling me that at 12.00 I had been in Onslow Street bus lane.

I wrote to SCC enclosing photos of the signs with hours on showing permitted times but SCC never replied nor cancelled the caution they said they had recorded.
Susan Bailey Reply

March 22, 2024 at 4:30 pm

This, being an example of (at best) rank incompetence combining with (certainly) reckless money-grabbing is absolutely emblematic of SCC.

Why do the residents of Surrey have to put up with this? It’s not as if one can even drive on the roads without having one’s vehicle smashed by endless potholes.
- Alan Judge Reply
  
  March 23, 2024 at 3:17 pm
  
  I work at the bottom of the High Street and every day now I see the SCC badged parking officers hiding in the Phoenix Court alleyway, looking out for anyone parking up. As soon as the driver has left their car, they pounce.
  
  It’s blatant to see. I guess these guys are working to targets.
  - John Lomas Reply
    
    March 23, 2024 at 8:58 pm
    
    Is Alan Judge saying they don’t give time to go to the machine to get tickets? Or is he referring to non Blue Badge vehicles using the Disabled Bay(s).
    
    Question based on Streetview info, in case the situation has changed since June 2023.