AQW 7869/16-21

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 24/11/2016
Answered On Date: 14/12/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether he has any plans to review the appeals mechanism for fines for improper use of bus lanes.

Answer:

My Department has no plans to review the appeals mechanism for fines (Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)) issued for improper use of bus lanes.

There are three opportunities under the Traffic Management (NI) Order 2005 when a driver can challenge a PCN. The stages are Challenge, Representations and Appeals. The Challenge is the first informal stage dealt with “in house” by the Department followed by the formal stage which is a Representation. The Representation is also dealt with “in house”. The final stage is an Appeal made to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Full details of the process are contained within the NI Direct website.