Man fined £130 for pulling into a bus lane to let an ambulance pass

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A man was fined £130 for pulling into a bus lane so an ambulance could drive past. James Sheridan-Vigor claims he was issued the fine after he pulled into a bus lane in Walthamstow, London, on September 19.

He posted on Facebook to ask how he could appeal the fine again after his initial appeal was rejected, My London reports. "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," James wrote. Read more: Andy Burnham defends council's decision to axe Bonfire Night celebrations across Manchester "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 continued: "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." After attempting to appeal the fine, James received a letter.

It read: "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." A spokesperson for Waltham Forest Council said: "We have investigated this incident and this fine was