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About 2 weeks ago I was cycling along Bishopsgate, and, as I rode past Liverpool street, I went through a set of traffic lights (at a speed of 10-15mph) that had just turned to orange but - in my opinion - had definitely not turned red.

As I went through these lights and arrived on the other side of the cross-roads I was pulled over by a policeman, along with two other cyclists. He said that his sergeant on the other side of the lights had seen me "jump" a red light. I maintained that I'd cycled over the designated stopping line on an orange light, and did not want to brake sharply as this could have caused an accident behind me. Also my knowledge of the Highway code states that you can continue through on an orange light if it is dangerous to stop suddenly.

The policeman issued me with a £30 fine (payable within 28 days). He said that if I did not pay this fine within 28 days I would be taken to court. I asked if I could see the CCTV footage to support my claim that I had not jumped a red light and he virtually laughed in my face. I also asked if i went to court and lost the case what would happen then?
answer - £180 fine plus court fees...
next question - if i went to court and won?
answer - you won't have to pay the £30 fine!
So that's a really fair judicial system isn't it! no compensation for falsely accusing me / wasting my time?!

Please can anyone answer this - is it within my rights to see CCTV footage of that incident, and if so can this be achieved before the 28 days is up? Presumably I would then have to take my evidence to court.

I BELIEVE WE CYCLISTS SHOULD STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS - DON'T PAY THE FINE IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE BEING WRONGLY ACCUSED!