Motorists maddened by 'needless' i54 bus lane

Hundreds of motorists have been handed £60 penalty charges for driving along Innovation Drive in Pendeford since a bus lane was installed there in December.

But many have complained that the placement of the bus lane has prolonged journey times, while others say that due to poor signposting the road's status is unclear.

The bus lane means drivers who want to access the i54 from the west of the city are faced with a three mile excursion around the Stafford Road and the M54 to enter the site from the north.

James Keenan, aged 72, was caught by a bus lane camera during one of his regular visits to customers at the i54.

He said: "I couldn't believe it when I got fined for driving along there," said Mr Keenan, who runs Novascope IT Ltd.

"I saw no bus lane warning sign. You have to ask who in their right mind would make it a bus lane anyway. There are only four or five factories down there.

"Is this road really that busy with traffic to slow down buses? It's completely needless. It's busy down there anyway and this just adds more time on to the journey."

Firms that are based at the site include JLR, Moog and Eurofins Food Testing UK.

Stuart Thompson, aged 63, from Pendeford, has also received a penalty charge for driving on Innovation Drive from the Wobaston Road entrance.

He said: "When I got done I didn't notice any sign saying it was a bus lane and there were no markings on the road.

"It's a hidden bus lane. They are basically ticketing people who are going to work."

Mr Thompson added that he had written to Staffordshire County Council's chief executive demanding his money back.

Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for economy, environment and transport, said: "Access to the i54 South Staffordshire park are part of the planning conditions for the site and are designed to both safeguard local businesses and residents from the extra traffic using the park and also encourage greater use of public transport.

"As part of this, only local buses, motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians and emergency vehicles can use the Wobaston Road entrance. A clearly signed, camera controlled bus lane has been in operation at this entrance since late 2014.

"Motorists who choose to flout road safety by ignoring the warnings and driving in the bus lane do risk facing a penalty fine."