A motorist who was fined for using a bus lane when diversions were in place for Bradford City Runs is celebrating a “common sense result” after successfully appealing the decision.

Nigel Dixon was one of 223 drivers slapped with a £60 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) by Bradford Council after he was diverted by marshals on October 27 last year.

The 55-year-old appealed the charge with the Council, which refused to drop it, before contacting an independent adjudicator.

He was told by the Council that if the fine was paid within a set time, it would drop to £30, and if the appeal failed, he could still pay the reduced charge.

Mr Dixon admitted following other drivers along Bridge Street, but as diversions were in place and marshals had sent him in that direction, he assumed restrictions had been lifted.

He was one of four people who appealed the PCN with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. His case was the second of the four to be heard this week and he was not confident of victory as the first appeal failed.

The hearing, via a conference call, involved the adjudicator, Mr Dixon and a Bradford Council officer. Mr Dixon said when the adjudicator heard there were 223 PCNs issued on that day for Bridge Street, compared to an average of ten to 15, she questioned it.

Mr Dixon, of Sunningdale Crescent, Cullingworth said: “Her first comment [to the Council officer] was, ‘don’t you think that’s rather a lot?’ ”

He said the decision was made at the end of the telephone call.

“I’m very pleased. It’s a common sense result. I was never confident because you just can’t tell – you’ve just got to hope common sense prevails.

“It was worth it, £30 isn’t going to break the bank, but there’s a principle there. It makes people realise we don’t have to just take what’s given out, we can challenge it.”

The event was organised by Bradford Council and the Bradford Athletics Network.

Bradford Council did not want to comment on Mr Dixon’s appeal.

e-mail: julie.tickner@telegraphandargus.co.uk