• View my bus lane or CCTV parking ticket online

Nottingham City Council became the first Authority in the country outside London to use the latest digital recording technology to record vehicles illegally using the bus lane and to issue them with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

The system was originally a manned system, with authorised officers observing the cameras and capturing on digital video alleged contraventions.  The moving images are stored on a server and at the review stage an officer retrieves and views the images using a review station.  A PCN is processed and then issued if there is agreement that an alleged contravention has taken place.  For reasons of impartiality, the capturing officer cannot review his or her own work.  Of course, being a digital system, there is no need for costly and time-consuming video tape management and storage systems. 

Current and future developments

The City Council has introduced a number of unmanned 'LaneWatch' cameras.  Primarily designed for use in bus lanes and bus gates, LaneWatch captures all vehicles that travel in the lane using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.  Transmission of the encrypted evidence back to Loxley House for processing is via 3G wireless technology, in much the same way that a mobile phone sends picture messages.  Because this is wireless technology, the location of the camera can alter to cover any problem area. 

Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, the civil enforcement of parking contraventions using approved devices became possible in 2007.  As the City Council's CCTV enforcement system had been certified by the Department for Transport as an "approved device" since June 2008, the Council is also able to enforce parking contraventions by CCTV camera in problems areas.

As it is expensive to install fixed roadside cameras to monitor traffic, the City Council has invested in a car containing high-tech camera and recording equipment to monitor compliance to the traffic regulations.  This means it is possible to detect not only bus lane contraventions, but also other contraventions such as parking on school entrance clearway markings.  The digital video system records vehicles contravening traffic regulations and a PCN is issued in a similar way to the existing manned system. 

Click here to view your bus lane or CCTV parking ticket online

Who is affected by CCTV camera enforcement?

Any unauthorised vehicles that makes use of a bus lane, bus gate or tram gate during the time of operation.  When signed the only exemptions are;

• a pedal cycle
• a bus
• a tramcar or
• wheelchair accessible taxis 

 How much will it cost me if I contravene the regulations?

• The registered owner/hirer of the vehicle will receive a PCN by first class post from Nottingham City Council
• For a bus lane contravention the charge is £60, reduced by 50% to £30 if paid within 14 days of the Date of Service. Take immediate action to either pay the penalty charge or make a representation (appeal). Failure to do so by 28 days of the Date of Service of the PCN may result in an increase of 50% to £90 and the Council may take steps to enforce payment of this sum
• For a CCTV contravention the penalty charge is £70, reduced by 50% to £35 if paid within 21 days of the Date of Service. Take immediate action to either pay the penalty charge or make a representation (appeal). Failure to do so by 28 days of the Date of Service of the PCN may result in an increase of 50% to £105 and the Council may take steps to enforce payment of this sum

How can I avoid a Penalty Charge Notice?

Pay attention to the road signs and markings.

Bus lane signs and markings will clearly indicate both the start and end of bus lanes and highlight the hours of operation. Parking and waiting/loading restrictions will be clearly signed.

Tram gates and bus gates are clearly marked with map-based advanced direction signs placed on each approach road showing the route to take to avoid the restricted area, and with the relevant Regulatory signs placed at the beginning of the restriction.

All drivers should not pay attention to the advice given by Sat-Navs and should comply with all traffic signs.  Any appeal referring to Sat-Navs as the reason for contravening the restrictions will not be accepted.

Remember

IT'S A FINE LINE - Leave the bus lanes to buses or risk a £60 penalty

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