Plymouth bus lane fine cameras to go live next week
DRIVERS caught veering into bus lanes to cheat their way out of traffic jams can expect to be hit with stiff fines from this weekend.
The council launched a tough crackdown on bus bay parkers and drivers who flout bus lane rules earlier this year.
New enforcement cameras were brought in to target bus lanes at the end of March.
Until now, however, a 'grace period' has meant motorist captured on camera breaking the rules have escaped without a fine.
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But that is now set to change, after the city's transport chief moved to tweak the local authority's powers.
From Monday, motorists caught on camera beating heavy traffic by using bus lanes can expect a £60 fine to land on their doorsteps.
The council launched a bus lane education and awareness campaign in March, in partnership with bus operators, the police and contractor Amey.
A report drafted ahead of the decision to begin imposing fines, made at the weekend, states that: "Following this campaign, Plymouth City Council will be undertaking enforcement of bus lane contraventions".
It continues to say enforcement will come "through issuing Penalty Charge Notices, using Automatic Number Plate Reading cameras".
The move, though initiated by the city's former Tory administration, is among a raft of transport measures being drawn up by the new ruling Labour group on the council.
The Herald revealed last month how Plymouth could get a whole fleet of controversial camera cars, some patrolling outside school gates.
A new bus lane along Outland Road and CCTV on board buses to spy on errant motorists are also among the measures being considered by the council's Cabinet member for finance, councillor Mark Coker.
Councillors last month approved the idea of joining the national Bus Lane Adjudication Service Joint Committee.
Membership paved the way for the council to begin fining drivers for using bus lanes.
The offences could already be enforced by the police.
But Cllr Coker said at the time: "It will enable public transport to get through faster.
"That will help the elderly and the disabled.
"At present buses often cannot get into bus bays because of parked cars.
"Bus lane enforcement is supported by all the bus companies and by bus passengers.
"As Plymouth grows this is going to be more and more important."
The move is subject to a call-in by other city councillors, which would delay the introduction of the £60 fines until the measure is debated.
However, a consultation period on the plans earlier this year returned not a single objection, the council said.
Comments
by Rongreenblood
Sunday, August 12 2012, 2:58PM
“Good point Pilly 40.That would mean cars could use this lane to go into Mcdonald's,or B&Q if it is clear instead of waiting in a queue,wasting time,and fuel,just to go a bit further on to the "official"turning.”
by Arfurmo
Monday, August 06 2012, 4:21PM
“It seems that the Labour administration unable to think up policies likely to benefit working people and making their lives easier. Its much easier to continue with policies adopted by the UNWANTED conservative administration such as the raft of policies starting off with the hairbrain scheme of an expensive fleet of cars equipped with spy cameras to catch out motorists straying into bus lanes. Followed by the lkelyhood of the spy cameras then being fitted on buses. Perhaps it follows that the spy car personell plus the bus drivers will be asked to take on more responsibilities, photographing likely criminal acts and law breakers etc. This to make-up for the un-necessary cut in manpower policing the city.”
by NICKERS
Friday, August 03 2012, 4:13PM
“by NICKERSWednesday, August 01 2012, 5:01PM
"Anyone notice there does not seem to be any camera cars about."
Stop press.
Saw one yesterday.”
by jackplane
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 6:01PM
“so what is happening about the bus lane up from manadon roundabout its still a car park and cars still parking in the cycle lane outside the pdsa ?”
by NICKERS
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 5:01PM
“Anyone notice there does not seem to be any camera cars about.”
by cakegirl
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 3:10PM
“i am sure there are some cities that allow cars to use bus lanes at peak times, good signage and this could be implemented here, especially near laira bridge, for me to drive to work from mutley to elburton at 5-6pm takes 45 mins, normally it takes 10-15 mins any other time, the amount of traffic lights on this route is ridiculous, stop start constantly... pcc are useless ..”
by pogle301
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 2:21PM
“wonder if the same cameras will be used to record some of the more shoddy and ignorant bus driving that goes on too - doubt it.”
by hamlynt
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 1:02PM
“Its been some time since I used a bus, but the last time I did the bus driver was on his mobile phone as he was driving - wish I had reported him.”
by drAngela
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 12:22PM
“Traffic jams are caused by the bus lanes.Reducing the number of lanes for other vehicles so that empty buses can pass by is idiotic in the extreme.The buses are used mainly by the poor, unemployed and elderly. Why do they need to get anywhere quickly?”
by Pilly40
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 11:09AM
“Just another money spinning excersise, Tavistock road is a joke, why can't the bus lane there be a bus lane plus turn left, just like you have at Manadon roundabout when turning onto the Parkway slip road”