The ABC Does a BBC Essex Radio Interview With Sadie 9

Simon Collyer, ABC founder appeared today on BBC Essex Radio and he was interviewed about Bus Gates? Not quite ABC business except that fines of any description are incredibly difficult to finance if you are on benefits. 

This what the case was about:

Simon Collyer V Department of Transport - some general notes. 

In the autumn of 2017 I drove through a ‘Bus Gate’ at the back of Tesco’s, Hythe (I had never seen a Bus Gate before) I was looking an actual ‘Gate’. I went to a Company ‘Wheel Worz’ I don’t normally use this route.   As you may know, Colchester Borough Council did a deal with Tesco Stores that if Tesco’s paid for a bridge (I believe) and other infrastructure projects developed by Colchester Borough Council (CBC) the Council would route the traffic past the front of Tesco’s. Cut the story short I had two PCN’s one going one way in the dark and a return trip during the day. I defeated the first PCN as the sign lights were not working but the other daytime PCN was upheld. I did my research and I found the legislation allowing Bus Gates was enacted in April 2016, but the government had not updated four documents downloadable from the YouGov website: The Highway Code and ‘Know Your Road Signs’ with any information on ‘Bus Gates’ even as we entered 2018.  I am having to sue the Department of Transport and they are defending the case. Essex County Council has taken millions of pounds in Bus Gate fines I believe. So this will be a significant case for all motorists including European Motorists that come to our country and who might ‘read up’ about UK road signs and be unaware of these traffic prevention measures and their purposes. We also have to consider learner drivers for whom the Highway Code is a ‘bible’. Chris Grayling was appointed Minister of Transport in May 2016. Chris Grayling was a previous DWP minister. Bus Gates legislation was enacted in April 2016.

To give you an idea of the scope of the issue. 

According to the BBC Essex County Council has received more than £1.5m from 43,864 penalty charge notices (PCN) for the misuse of the Duke Street bus gate in Chelmsford, since cameras were installed in 2017

Of the 139 cases which went to tribunal, after the council rejected appeals, a single fine was upheld.

According to the BBC just one fine handed out to motorists wrongly using a city's bus gate has been upheld at tribunal, figures show.

Road safety device or Highway Robbery - what do you think? 

Image courtesey of the BBC: A Chelmsford Bus Gate in Duke Street. 

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