City bus lane cameras catch 30,000 in year
6,000 FINES ISSUED ON ONE ROAD ALONE AS DRIVERS IGNORE RULES
MORE than 30,000 fines were issued to drivers who strayed into Leicester bus lanes this year – despite enforcement cameras being switched off during some lockdown months.
Officials have revealed which of 14 devices across the city caught most drivers over the past 12 months, as they revealed penalties totalled just over £900,000.
The most active camera was the one in Duns Lane, heading away from the city centre, in the West End, which was activated 5,792 times – far higher than any other camera on the network.
A camera in Charles Street, in the city centre, was activated the fewest times.
Leicester City Council said the cameras, which operate round the clock under normal circumstances, are in place to free the lanes of traffic so bus journey times are shortened, and are not a means to generate cash.
The entire network was switched off in April and May, during the first national lockdown.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “The success of our cameras will be judged on how few rather than how many people they catch.
“Their objective is to provide areas where buses can pass freely, to improve journey times and therefore make them more appealing as an alternative to private motor vehicles.
“Covid-19 has made it a strange year for bus use, with people being encouraged not to use them if possible. Now, however, with the prospect of a vaccine being widely available, it is not impossible to see a future where people are more widely encouraged to get back on them.”
Sir Peter said the enforcement network was under review and it was possible it might be extended to more roads this year.
The city council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, Councillor Nigel Porter said: “Councillors were told at a briefing recently that more bus lane cameras were likely even though fewer people will be using buses in the future and commuting into the city because they are working from home successfully.
“A lot of people will look at the situation and say that isn’t warranted and it is just a way for the council to top up its bank balance.”
The council has said that, other than the cost of running the enforcement scheme, all the cash generated in fines is used to fund transport improvements in the city.
The success of our cameras will be judged on how few rather than how many they catch City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby