Warning for bus lane invaders as new cameras come into use

A survey by Leeds City Council in late January recorded that nearly 2,000 drivers – 1,941 altogether – illegally cutting into city centre bus lanes over three days one week.

Most offences took place during the morning rush hours between 7.30am and 9am, delaying buses.

In one location – along the Wellington Road bus lane near the Clyde Approach – 572 drivers were witnessed breaking the law on one day by using the bus lane.

Yesterday, drivers were again warned it is an offence to drive into bus lanes and gates as, from mid-April, new cameras come into use.

Drivers caught in bus lanes could the receive fixed penalty fines of £30 in the post within a few days.

The cameras are being placed at hotspots in and around the city centre.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member for development, said: “The extent of the abuse of bus lanes by motorists is shocking and this behaviour is against the law. For every driver who attempts to shave a few seconds off their journey time there are bus loads full of commuters, other passengers and law-abiding drivers who are being held up instead.

“We are determined to crackdown on this, but to ensure everyone is aware of what’s happening we are using this period to warn motorists that they won’t be able to get away with this for much longer.”

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

Metro chair, Coun Chris Greaves said: “Bus lanes are designed to improve the free flow of buses, which can be carrying the same number of people as 30 or more cars, enabling them to skip congested stretches of the road and deliver passengers to their destinations quickly and efficiently.

“After the warning period with dummy tickets, inconsiderate car drivers who persist in illegally using bus lanes and cancelling out the advantages they provide, must be dummies and should expect the penalty.”

The council has recently acquired the responsibility from the police for enforcing rules on keeping bus lanes clear. Certain vehicles other than buses, such as ambulances and registered taxis, but not private hire cabs, are allowed to use the lanes. The majority of vehicles, however, cannot and road signs make it clear what restrictions apply.

The council has not yet announced the date when the cameras will go live. Last night the authority said it also intends at a later stage to introduce more fixed cameras and a mobile camera to tackle the issue elsewhere in the city.

Meanwhile Metro is to debate whether to offer a lifeline to the Leeds city centre shuttle bus service with a six-month trial that will introduce fares for the service.

Metro is due to vote on the proposals today at a meeting of its executive board.

Leeds City Council withdrew funding for the free city centre loop route as part of budget cutbacks agreed in February but Metro held talks with a number of the city’s bus operators to see if the CityBus service could be retained in some form.

The service will still be free to holders of bus passes or day tickets.

Coun Ryk Downes, Liberal Democrat Group deputy leader on Leeds Council and deputy chairman of Metro, said: “It’s the only bus service that goes directly from the station to Leeds General Infirmary and for that reason alone, I think is worth keeping.

“The deal we’ve struck is a good one overall.

“Whilst it won’t be free for everyone, anyone with a bus pass or day ticket will still be able to use the service for free, even if they bought it from another bus company,” he said.