Cameras will ‘stop abuse of Saltaire bus lanes’

Two cameras will be introduced on existing bus lanes each side of the junction on the A650 at Saltaire.

A further two cameras will be situated on two new bus lanes created on Huddersfield Road and one on Bridge Street in Bradford city centre.

Councillor Andrew Thornton, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and sustainability, said: “Dedicated bus lanes increase the reliability of bus services and speed up journey times, which encourages the use of public transport.

“Those drivers who ignore bus lane restrictions risk delaying public transport and are a source of frustration and annoyance to law-abiding road users. Cameras are the only realistic and cost-effective means of tackling those drivers who don’t comply with the rules.”

As well as the cameras, signs advertising their presence will be put up so drivers will be aware the bus lane is being monitored.

Councillor Thornton said: “Our aim is to stop abuse of bus lanes by some motorists so public transport keeps moving. Figures show that abuse of bus lanes falls significantly when cameras are introduced.”

CCTV footage will be reviewed daily by a Bradford Council civil enforcement officer and if an offence is confirmed, a penalty charge notice will be issued by post.

The cost of illegally using a bus lane is a £60 penalty charge notice, with a discount of £30 for prompt payment.

The money collected by the council in fixed penalty notices is used to cover the cost of monitoring bus lanes for compliance and supports other improvements to the road network in the district.

The first of the new cameras could be operational by next week with the others coming on stream in the next couple of months.