Over 30,000 drivers in Leicester have been
caught in the bus-only zones, racking up a total
of nearly £1 million in fines.
Leicester City Council placed cameras in
Charles Street and Causeway Lane, by the
Highcross shopping centre, in June 2012. The
council then gave drivers a month's grace to
get used to the new system but said 30 818
were penalised in the two bus lanes between
July and the end of May 2013. In that period
the fines totalled £953,221, which the Council
said was being invested in transport schemes
such as concessionary fares for pensioners and
subsidising bus routes.
Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the number
of people being caught by the cameras was
declining month on month. Records show in the
first month over 6 000 drivers were still using
the bus lane, but last month there were just over
2,000 a significant reduction.
It is likely that £1 million would have been
raised had the council not turned off the Charles
Street camera for three weeks in February and
March during roadworks.
The Council said the cameras had helped
improve bus punctuality and relieved congestion.
Sir Peter Soulsby commented: "More and more
people are getting the message these lanes are for
buses only. But it is quite astonishing the number of
people who are still going where they should not. I
cannot believe they are not seeing the signs, which
are very clear.
"We thought they might not be clear so officers
reviewed them. They are meeting and going far
beyond the legal requirements. I have been down
to see them and they are very hard to miss."
The Council has proposed putting a further
camera in Rutland Street but the mayor has said
no decision had been taken on that as yet.
He added: "Charles Street and Causeway Lane
are two areas where it was very clear cars were
hampering buses. The case for Rutland Street is
much more finely balanced.
"I would like to speak to bus operators before
coming to a decision."
NEWS
www.ukdic.co.uk
l
THE INSTRUCTOR
Cars caught out in the bus lane
More than 30,000 motorists have been caught by cameras using the new bus-only zones
in Leicestershire, despite an allowance period and improved road signs.
Increasing use of bus-only lanes are catching out drivers