A DRIVER is attempting to contest a fine he was given for accidentally triggering a bus lane camera.

Mark Watling, from Colchester, was visiting the Shop on the Hythe in Hythe Hill, on July 2.

He had pulled up on the shop's forecourt, which cars are renowned for doing, and then reversed back into the road to go home.

However on July 12 he received a letter from Essex County Council, fining him for entering a bus lane.

The bus lane ends just outside the entrance to the shop.

Mr Watling appealed the decision, but was unsuccessful.

He said: "I am always careful to not use bus lanes and I never do.

"I had driven onto the shop's front forecourt. As I reversed out, I must have triggered the ANPR camera.

"The photo taken shows I haven't just driven straight through, the angle of my car makes it obvious I've not just driven through the bus lane.

"I visit this shop regularly and always make a point of going the long way round as I drive in Colchester for a living, and know that to do so would just mean an expensive fine I can do without.

"I have visited the shop and their CCTV isn't working so they can't help."

Mr Watling, a pharmacy delivery driver for Queen Street Pharmacy, has not paid the fine yet but said he would to avoid court.

The 50-year-old said: "I suppose you could argue from the photos it's possible I was driving forward onto the forecourt, but being someone who has zero points on my licence and never previously been fined for a bus lane infringement, plus who knows the roads of Colchester very well, I'd like to think they'd use common sense.

"Also, if someone from the council was to replicate what I did and reverse off the forecourt I'm quite sure it would trigger the ANPR camera, which would then indicate a problem.

"Rather than the fine going up to £90, I'd be forced to pay the £30 and I will do so, but it's not ideal.

"£30 may not sound like much to some people but to me it makes a big difference.

"If I'd gone through a bus lane on purpose and received a letter, I'd hold my hands up and pay, but this does seem unfair."

We contacted Essex County Council for a comment.

A spokesman said: “This vehicle has been found to be driving in the bus gate and has been issued with a penalty charge notice accordingly.

“The driver has the right to make representations to the council and if those are rejected he has the right to appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

“Essex County Council, of course, abides by the decisions of the tribunal.”