If you felt youy were not in the wrong you had an opportunity to fight this by going to court! You may still be able to!
A lot of people feel that by goinng to court this is a bad thing! Buit if you have a genuine case backed up with some real decent evidence this is the best way to defend your point!
You could even complain to the council about the road layout as is your right! If it gets moved you may well be able to appeal the decision. Unfortunately most of us put up and shutup as the penalty is just about swallable. After all they want the money don't they?!
I work around central the Heathrow area, the amount of infringements of road rules is unbelievable!
If these roads were properly policed it would rake in thousands very probably millions for the governments coffers!!!