Petition to get Walsall bus lane camera axed

A petition has been launched calling for a bus lane camera in Bloxwich to be scrapped after it emerged around 3,500 drivers were caught in its first week – raking in £105,000 for a council.

Motorists 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 but 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.

Drivers are hit with £30 fines on each occasion.

Motorist Erik Hughes has set up an online petition demanding that council bosses take the camera down.

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He said: "The council should consider what social justice is achieved from having this camera in place.

"Act to remove the camera completely and finally reimburse those previously charged with a fixed penalty notice and other costs that may have been incurred as a result."

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He added: "It is apparent to many in the localsthis camera is catching out innocent drivers who in turn receive a fixed penalty charge notice of initially £30.

"This camera is poorly placed, and arguments include the bus lane is relatively short, there are few scheduled buses that use this lane at any one time, and in some cases not using part of the bus lane leads to congestion."

Community leaders have said the camera, which is positioned near the Fastcar shop, was catching motorists 'like flies'.

In total, 500 penalty charge notices per day were issued during the first week of the camera being in use.

The number of fines issued has since fallen, with each penalty charge notice reviewed using video evidence to check that a vehicle actually travelled in the bus lane sufficiently to justify enforcement.

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," he added.