West Bromwich bus lane: 12,500 fines handed out in six weeks since camera switch on
More than 12,500 fines have been dished out to drivers in the space of just six weeks after being caught out by new bus lane cameras in West Bromwich town centre.
Sandwell Council has started punishing motorists who drive through a bus zone in New Street.
The council has so far collected £120,000 worth of fines with more to come.
Penalties of up to £90 started being issued from December 5 after thousands were let off the hook during a two-week grace period.
But thousands of drivers have continued to ignore the rules along the pedestrianised stretch past Sandwell College's Central Sixth Form Campus, which formerly The Public arts centre.
Warning signs stating the cameras are running have been put up and it is hoped people will now get the message.
Only buses, Hackney carriage taxis and cyclists are allowed to pass through.
Initial fines are £60, but if paid within 14 days the total will be reduced to £30.
After 14 days it will stay at £60 and if it has still not been paid within 28 days it will rise to £90. A total of 12,579 fines have been issued, with another 2,600 ready to be sent out.
It came after 6,803 warning notices were sent out after the cameras went live on November 21. These drivers were not fined as council bosses agreed to give them a second chance during the first fortnight the cameras were up. Despite the huge number of fines, Sandwell Council's highways boss Councillor David Hosell said the number of drivers cutting through the zone had fallen.
More than 2,000 a day were estimated to have been using the cut through before cameras were brought in.
Councillor Hosell said: "The cameras were introduced to reduce the 2,000 motorists a day driving through the town square, bringing dangers to pedestrians and causing delays for bus passengers.
"This was very extensively advertised in a special campaign and this led to an immediate drop to around 1,100 a day when enforcement started.
"Now the number of contraventions has reduced to around 400 a day and the number is expected to drop still more over the next few months, making the town centre much safer for shoppers. The aim is not to make money but to improve safety."
