10,000 caught in JUST one Wolverhampton bus lane raking in £635k fines

Drivers claim that due to the angle of the road, in Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town, they have to go into the lane when carrying out legitimate U-turns.

And since it was installed last June, 10,626 penalty notices have been issued to drivers caught on the camera.

A council boss has said that drivers have no-one to blame but themselves, and fines aren't issued unless vehicles are caught for more than 20 metres in the lane.

The Wolverhampton Road camera is one of five in the city that has been installed.

Anyone caught using the bus lane for more than 20 metres is issued with a fine of £60, which is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. It was previously up to the police to reprimand drivers using the lanes, but responsibility was handed over to the council.

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Councillor Steve Evans said: "It's nothing new, its not like not being allowed to drive in bus lanes is new legislation.

"We are only doing what has already been in place for a number of years.

"I have to say, it's not a question of people driving into the lanes just for a moment, or one wheel goes into the lane when they are pulling out from the shops.

"They have to have been in the lane for 20 metres before the flash goes off.

"We have a dedicated person who sits and watches the cameras. And when the flash goes off, it sends him an alert and he watches the video back.

"He then checks and says yes, that's a contravention, and a penalty notice is issued.

"Driving in the bus lane for 20 metres or more is a clear contravention, there is no ambiguity.

"Lots of people appeal but then we show them the footage and they can see it for themselves."

He added: "You'd think after getting caught once, people wouldn't do it again but we've had a lot of repeat offenders.

"The signage is clear and the information which has been put into the media has been clear too.

"It's not about making money for the council, I'd much rather people didn't use the bus lanes and no fines were issued.

"People pay to use the bus, they don't expect to be held up in a queue of traffic when they're in a bus lane.

"What people need to remember as well is those bus lanes are also used by taxis, emergency vehicles and important local services such as bin lorries.

"The percentage of roads in Wolverhampton that have dedicated bus lanes is tiny, so there is really no excuse for people using them."