Birmingham bus lane concern

An article on the front page of the Birmingham Mail reported what it described as ‘shocking’ figures for the amount of fines issued to motorists for driving in bus lanes in Birmingham city centre. It was revealed that in 52 days, there were 11,038 fines issued to drivers, meaning on average 222 motorists a day receive the £60 penalty fine. There have been accusations that the bus lanes are not adequately signed. The lanes were enforced from 15 July in the main bus corridors along Lower Bull Street, Moor Street Queensway, Priory Queensway and St Martins Queensway using static and mobile CCTV.

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said, ‘Bus lanes are being enforced in the city to improve bus journey times, encourage people to use public transport and reduce our C02 emissions. Clear and adequate signage and road markings for the Enforcement Zone have been in place since the scheme began and the proposals have been widely advertised. Bus lanes have been in place for some years, and it has always been the case that motorists should avoid them between certain hours. While the city centre enforcement zone has been in place since July of this year, fines for infringements have only been issued since September. The council has made it clear that the scheme would be reviewed after six months to identify any necessary modifications to the scheme and this will take place as planned in January. Any fines for contravening the bus lanes have been issued correctly and legally, and drivers have had the opportunity to appeal. We have decided to make some changes from 1 November so that motorists activating multiple trigger points during a bus lane offence will receive just one Penalty Charge Notice for the part of that journey covering the lane.’