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Countdown markers may be provided on the approach to a crossing. These divide the distance between the advance warning sign and the stop line into 3 equal parts; each sloping bar does not necessarily represent a distance of 100 yards.

The registered keeper of the vehicle concerned can expect to receive a PCN. It will contain details of the alleged contravention, details of the vehicle and photographs that in our opinion establish the contravention.

The St Andrew’s cross is used at level crossings where there are no gates or barriers. At automatic crossings, you must always STOP when the traffic light signals show. At crossings with ‘give way’ signs, always look out for and give way to trains.

Open level crossings without gates, barriers or road traffic light signals have ‘give way’ signs over a symbol of a railway locomotive.

Bus lane enforcement commenced in August 2019 and moving traffic enforcement in May 2024. Prior to this, the enforcement of these restrictions was exclusively the responsibility of the police.

Railroadcrossing sign with lights

You need to make your representation within 28 days beginning with the date of service. A representation made after 28 days may be disregarded.

Flashing pedestrian signals used at some level crossings indicate that it is not safe to cross: pedestrians should stop at the pedestrian stop line.

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

If there is more than one railway line over an automatic crossing, this signal will also flash and the sound of the audible warning will change if another train is approaching.

You can make representations against the PCN but we may discount any representations received later than 28 days after the date of service. Unlike the case with parking contraventions there is no informal challenge against a PCN issued from ANPR evidence, as the ‘Notice to Owner’ is included in the PCN.

Railroadcrossing sign meaning

Payment of the entire applicable charge amount must be received in the stated time frame, to avoid the case status escalating or an increase in the charge balance.

Changes to the Section 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 in May 2022 gave us powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions, subject to a successful application to the Department for Transport (DfT).

Electrified overhead cable and the safe height beneath it (usually associated with an overhead electrified railway or tramway). On the approach to a junction, the plate may include an arrow to indicate the direction of the level crossing.

Moving traffic restrictions can vary. While most are in operation 24 hours a day, including bank holidays, a small number of restrictions apply only during set hours, for example peak travel times. Road signs will clearly indicate the start and end time of the restriction.

VintagerailroadCrossing sign

Payment should only be made if the matter is not disputed. Consideration will not be given to representations received in respect of a case which has been paid and closed.

Service of a notice sent by first class post is taken to have been effected on the second working day after the day of posting. Working days exclude Saturdays, Sundays, New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Good Friday and any other day which is a Bank Holiday in England and Wales.

A moving traffic contravention occur when a vehicle performs a prohibited maneuver, for example, no left- or right-hand turn and accessing no entry roads. Moving traffic restrictions apply to all vehicles including hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, motorbikes and buses unless explicitly stated.

The income from PCNs pays the cost of enforcement. These include the costs of employing the ANPR camera operators, the administrative staff involved in processing and collecting the penalties, maintenance of signs and lines and other associated costs. Any surplus remaining after deduction of costs has to go towards measures to improve public transport or other highway associated improvements.

We will send you a response. It will be either a ‘Notice of Acceptance of Representations’ or a ‘Notice of Rejection of Representations’.

On our bus lane and moving traffic enforcement page there is a link to 'challenge the PCN'. Once this form has been completed you will be taken to a page where the video evidence can be viewed.

Following consultation and consideration of traffic counts and accident data, four potential locations were selected for enforcement. Cabinet approved the submission of an application to the DfT as well as the selected locations.

In August 2019 we commenced bus lane enforcement by approved Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in the Chester area. If you drive illegally in a bus lane, then you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Railroadcrossing sign shape

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Permitted vehicles can vary from bus lane to bus lane, so you should check the signs at the start of the lane or bus only street before entering. Emergency vehicles (on an emergency call or operational maneuver) are exempt from these restrictions.

Yellow box markings indicate an area of carriageway at a level crossing that must be kept clear. Do not enter the box if other stationary traffic may cause you to stop with any part of your vehicle within the box.

Plate used with level crossing warning signs: advance warning of light signals at a level crossing with or without a gate or barrier.

In Chester the bus lanes are in operation 24 hours a day, including bank holidays. Road signs and markings will clearly indicate the start and end of the bus lanes.

Name of level crossing and phone number for contacting the railway operator (at level crossings without a dedicated phone).

Railroadsign

If we reject your representations, you have the right to appeal to an independent adjudication body called the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. The legal grounds for appeal are included under the earlier question ‘There must be a right of appeal against a PCN?’ (a to f). We will give you the online details with the ‘Notice of Rejection of Representations’ to enable you to appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Again if the Traffic Penalty Tribunal rejects your appeal, the amount payable will normally be the full £60. Further information is available on the Traffic Penalty Tribunal website.

Only buses (and, where indicated by signs, other permitted vehicles) can use bus lanes. The definition of a bus contained in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 is ‘a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than eight passengers (exclusive of the driver)’. Therefore, a bus must have a minimum of nine seats including the driver.

Bus lane and moving traffic offences are not decriminalised and, where civil enforcement applies in an area, contraventions of bus lane orders may continue to be enforced as a criminal offence by the Police. In the event that a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued by the Police for the same offence for which a PCN is produced, then we will cancel the PCN.

These level crossings have gates or barriers but no attendant. The miniature red and green lights are operated by an approaching train. Full directions for using these crossings are given on roadside signs. You must stop even if the gates or barriers have been left open. Always close the gates or barriers after crossing.

A bus lane contravention is a contravention of any provision of a traffic order relating to use of an area of road that is or forms part of a bus lane. A contravention normally occurs where a vehicle crosses the solid white boundary line between the bus lane and the remainder of the carriageway.

Rule 141 of the Highway Code gives the general rules for bus lanes. In short, only buses and other permitted vehicles may use bus lanes.

Although the penalty charge is £70, payable by no later than 28 days beginning with the date of service of the PCN, we will accept a reduced sum of £35 within 14 days beginning with the date of service. Details of how to pay are shown on the front of the PCN.

They are created by Traffic Regulation Orders using powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. A bus lane is defined in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 as a traffic lane reserved for buses (and authorised vehicles, pedal cycles, solo motorcycles and taxis where indicated by the signs).

Further information about Civil Parking and Bus Lane and Moving Traffic Enforcement (including PCNs and NTOs) is available on the Patrol UK website.

The penalty charge is £70 for a contravention. A discount of 50% applies if the penalty charge is paid by end of the 14 day period beginning with the date of service. The discounted rate will be £35.

The bus lane and moving traffic restrictions are used nationwide, and the signs in place at appropriate locations on the highway to notify motorists of the prohibition appear in the Highway Code (with which all motorists should be familiar). Motorists are expected to comply with the restrictions irrespective of their level of familiarity with the local area.

All representations against a PCN by post must be made in writing either by post or using our appeals portal. Cheshire West and Chester Council, Parking Services, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.

Bells suspended over the road at a railway crossing to give an audible warning to drivers of vehicles that exceed the safe height beneath electrified overhead cables.

This guidance provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to bus lanes and ANPR Enforcement covering the issue of PCNs and the appeals process.

The Highway code Traffic Signs document gives detail on signs giving orders to drivers, such as prohibited turns and no entry.

Railroadcrossbuck sign

Automatic open level crossings have flashing signals and audible warnings. The lights will flash and the warnings will sound until it is safe to cross.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/know-your-traffic-signs/level-crossing-signs-and-signals

Some crossings have flashing red road traffic signals; these mean STOP (and this applies to pedestrians too). A steady amber light shows before the red lights begin to flash, as at ordinary road traffic signals; this means STOP unless it is unsafe to do so. If the red lights flash for more than 3 minutes without a train arriving (other than at crossings with full barriers), or any barrier is lowered without the lights flashing, phone the signal operator. When the barriers rise, do not proceed until the signals go out. If your vehicle breaks down or stalls on a crossing, get yourself and your passengers out of the vehicle as soon as possible. Phone the signal operator and follow the instructions given. Stand well clear of the crossing if the alarm sounds, the signals show or the barriers lower.

Amber lights and audible warnings followed by flashing red lights warn that a train is approaching and that the barriers are about to come down. You must STOP. The red lights flash all the time the barriers are down, but the audible warning might stop. If another train is approaching, the barriers will stay down; the lights will continue to flash and, if there is an audible warning, the sound will change.

From 20 May 2024 we have commenced the enforcement of moving traffic restrictions such as prohibited left or right-hand turns and accessing no entry roads using ANPR cameras in Chester and Ellesmere Port. We are operating a six-month warning period, but Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will be issued to the vehicle owner for a repeat offence within the first six months and for a first (or subsequent) offence at the end of the six-month warning period.