"In retrospect I should have stayed in my own lane and let the ambulance use the bus lane"I think that is what the legislators intended, as there is generally a specific exemption for emergency vehicles to use a bus lane, but not necessarily an exemption for other vehicles to do so, despite what TfL advise on their website.This is a case where the precise legal requirements are in a Traffic Management Order (TMO) made by Ealing, and not generally available online. If you decide to pursue an appeal, you should ask Ealing for a copy of the relevant TMO so that you can see what exemptions there are.Having looked at a few bus lane TMOs from other boroughs that happen to be online, I see that two exemptions are likely to be relevant: - "in order to avoid an accident". That is a bit far-fetched in your case, though it would arguably have applied if the ambulance had been coming towards you in the other direction. - "in the bus lane only to such extent and for so long as is necessary to comply with any requirement resulting from street works or an emergency in any part of the road adjacent to the bus lane". You could perhaps argue that the presence of an ambulance on an emergency call with blue lights and sirens constituted an emergency on the lane adjacent to the bus lane. It is certainly worth quoting TfL's advice*, especially as the TMO is not normally available for you to see.I'm puzzled by your statement this evening that "The frustrating thing about planning to go to the Ombudsman is that I have to wait 28 days for the enforcement notice from Ealing before I can engage the ombudsman, by which point the fine will have risen above £200 should I end up having to pay it." First of all, it's the adjudicator, not the Ombudsman. According to your first post it's a £65/£130 penalty (£65 if paid quickly). It will still be £130 if you wait for the enforcement notice, and you'll then have the opportunity to make a formal "representation" to Ealing. My understanding is that this will be reviewed by Ealing Council staff rather than the outsourced Serco operation who have evidently rejected your initial challenge.If Ealing reject your representation, you can then appeal to the adjudicator, and the penalty will still be £130.Carefully read what has been sent to you about the level of the penalty. It should say that the penalty will be increased by 50% only if you fail to pay it and fail to appeal. If they've got it wrong, it will give you further grounds for appeal.I'm happy to advise further. You can write to me at parking10@rjen.me.uk * http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/redroutes/963.aspx
Richard Jennings ● 4540d