Drivers hit in the pocket as bus lane crackdown catches 6,000

It is estimated that the new cameras have earned Leeds Council up to £300,000 from fines during the first month since they went live.

A council spokesman said 5,877 tickets had been issued.

Motorists are sent a £60 penalty notice but the fine is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

The council says the CCTV cameras were introduced to help the traffic system work better and not as a way of raising money.

The council-operated cameras came into force on August 8 after a survey revealed that abuse of bus lanes was a major problem.

A survey in late January found nearly 2,000 drivers – 1,941 in total – illegally cutting into city centre bus lanes over three days in the same week.

The vast majority of these offences took place during the morning rush from 7.30am to 9am, holding up commuter buses.

In one case, along the Wellington Road lane adjacent to Clyde Approach, 572 drivers were seen to break the law on the same day by using the bus lane.

Yesterday the council said that since then there had been a reduction in the numbers of motorists abusing bus lanes. A spokesman said there had been an 80 per cent drop in bus lane abuse since January.

The council’s executive member for development, Richard Lewis, said recently: “In an ideal world everyone would obey the law and we would have no need to do this, but our surveys show that abuse of bus lanes is rife and it therefore needs to be clamped down on to help keep the city moving.

“My message is that driving in bus lanes has long been illegal, you have been warned and you will no longer get away with it.”

Yesterday he said he expected the number of fines would fall rapidly as motorists got the message.

The figures for week one of the new cameras showed that 1,800 fines were issued. The second week fell to 1,366 and week four was 1,116. The final two days 280 were issued.

Metro, which co-ordinates the transport for West Yorkshire, is supporting the scheme.

Chairman James Lewis said “Bus lanes are designed to enable buses, which can be carrying the same number of people as 30 or more cars, to skip congested stretches of the road and deliver passengers to their destinations quickly and efficiently.

“By ignoring the restrictions on bus lanes, which usually only apply at peak times, and using them illegally, inconsiderate motorists are cancelling out the advantages they provide and shouldn’t therefore be surprised to face a fine for this selfish behaviour.”

The council has recently acquired the responsibility from the police for enforcing rules on keeping bus lanes clear.

A council spokesman said: “We’re very pleased with how the first month of this scheme has gone, with the number of offences reduced by 80 per cent compared to our survey in January which shows clearly that the message is getting through.

“Using bus lanes for the majority of motorists means breaking the law, so no matter what the temptation it is not worth the risk.”

Certain vehicles other than buses, such as emergency vehicles, are allowed to use the lanes. But the majority of vehicles are not permitted to drive on them.

A spokesman for Metro said: “Bus lanes are designed to improve the free flow of buses, to skip congested stretches of the road and deliver passengers to their destinations quickly and efficiently. Inconsiderate motorists who block these lanes can cancel out the advantages they provide.

“The penalty tickets will cost some thoughtless motorists dear but will also act as a clear reminder that the restrictions which are in place to improve our public transport system apply to all drivers.”

andrew.robinson@ypn.co.uk