Summary: I was driving home (recently moved here so not familiar with area). Road works was taking place meaning the road I'd normally go was shut. There was poor diversion route signage by the council and I couldn't work out how to get home apart from taking a super long route (I was convinced there would be a route that wouldn't be as much of a detour).
Then I remember a road a bus I went on once went down so I decided to use that as a quicker way to get home. It was then I had the realisation it was a bus only route, but by this point I was already driving down it with a bus behind me so I couldn't do a 3 point turn to go back. I had to bite the bullet and keep going and now received a fine.
I complained about the fine and said to the council the diversion signage was poor which caused me to go into the bus lane. They rejected this and said:
"You asked whether the signs or road markings were correct. The place where you were driving has been visited and the signs and road marking there were correct. It's unfortunate that your satnav directed you into the bus lane, however it's up to the drivers to be aware of bus lane and other signs and obey them. As a new person to the area, it is unfortunate you were unfamiliar with the bus lane and times it is in force. However, it is still up to drivers to be aware of this."
It contains a link to appeal to an independent adjudicator at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal which I'm going to do. Any advice on how to win my case?