From government website
You don't have to go to court, you can send a written mitigation statement. And I think mentioned elsewhere you may get an awareness course if you have attended on in the last 5 years. You can take that course online or in person at any county.Fortunately or unfortunately I have no choice but to accept the ticket as I live in Sheffield, 5 hours e/w from Bournemouth where the case would be heard.
At least that simplifies the issue for me !
But the basic principle, that non locals should not be more likely to get prosecuted than locals, remains. I would like to try and do something about that, however unlikely it may be to happen......