Walsall bus lane camera rakes in £105k in ONE week
Around 3,500 drivers were caught by a controversial bus lane camera in its first week on a busy Walsall route, raking in about £105,000 for the council.
Drivers have called for the camera in Bloxwich High Street, which was installed on September 22, to be removed.
They say it is a trap for drivers who have no alternative to join the last few yards of the lane at busy times or risk causing huge traffic jams.
Council officers have said the camera was installed after the location was found to be a 'hotspot' for obstructing buses and have revealed that 500 fines were issued per day during the first seven days.
Community leaders said the camera, which is positioned near the Fastcar shop, was catching motorists 'like flies', with £30 fines handed out on each occasion.
Officers said the number of fines issued had since reduced and the camera would be relocated as soon as the situation was 'stable' and the junction operated efficiently.
Steve Pretty, Walsall Council's head of service for engineering and transportation, said: "We issued some 500 penalty charge notices per day for the first week."
He said the number of fines issued had since fallen and added that each penalty charge notice was reviewed using the video evidence to check that the vehicle actually travelled in the bus lane sufficiently to justify enforcement.
Mr Pretty added: "This is an excellent result and as soon as this is stabilised we will relocate the camera to the next hot spot."
Blakenall Councillor Pete Smith, who has called for the camera and bus lane to be removed, said: "I think that this camera installation was wrong and deliberate and a trap.
"It has affected thousands of people in the first few weeks. That is a huge amount in fines.
"It ought to be removed straight away. I urge all those issued with fines from this camera, who feel that they had no alternative but to join the latter part of the bus lane, to appeal.
"I personally think that those who have paid their fines should have the £30 refunded unless the council can prove that the offending motorists used the whole stretch of this bus lane."
He said sometimes at busy times drivers had no alternative but to join the last few yards of the bus lane if they wanted to travel down Elmore Green Road.
Walsall Council's deputy leader, Councillor Adrian Andrew, said the bus camera had been installed following complaints from bus companies about obstructions on the bus lane, but added: "Since the implementation of this scheme drivers have been in touch with the council to say that it is nearly impossible not to encroach on the bus lane at this junction.
"I have asked that we undertake a quick review of the situation so we can alleviate the problems for both users of public transport and car drivers"
