Hundreds hit over bus lane rules on Christmas Day
COUNCIL road chiefs fined hundreds of motorists for flouting bus lane rules on Christmas Day.
Despite it being the one day when no public transport operates, a string of councils continued to enforce the restrictions.
One of the worst authorities was Sheffield, with 141 drivers sent fines of £60, or £30 if paid within 14 days.
Meanwhile, 46 motorists were fined by Leicester City Council for driving on a single stretch of bus lane.
Earlier this week good samaritan Lee Williamson told how he was hit with a £70 fine after pulling into a Leicester bus lane to give a homeless man clothes and food on Christmas Day. The charge has since been cancelled.
Newcastle upon Tyne and Plymouth were also among those to issue fines for unauthorised use of bus lanes. Edinburgh and the London Borough of Southwark both enforced bus gates – sections of road restricted to buses only – issuing 20 and 25 fines respectively.
But other major cities – including Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow and Liverpool – did not enforce restrictions.
Council bosses said the restrictions had been enforced ‘to ensure consistency’, to prevent ‘rat run Helping ning’ and to help taxis and cyclists.