Mr Loophole backs motorist in council bus lane fight

THE COUNTRY’S best-known traffic lawyer is backing a motorist’s fight against a bus lane fine imposed by Hull Council.

Tony Sherwin, 36, contacted Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole, after being fined £30 for driving in the bus lane on Holderness Road to visit a supermarket. Mr Sherwin appealed the fine, which he lost, and has lodged a complaint with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Earlier this year Tesco changed the entrance and exit to its Tesco Express store, meaning that motorists are now forced to enter into the bus lane in order to access the shop.

Mr Sherwin is one of a number of customers to have subsequently been fined because they drove a short distance in the bus lane, which is in the nearside lane, before turning left into the Tesco entrance.

He said: “Motorists are advised to give clear signals in plenty of time which are not misleading and do not lead to confusion. The current geographical layout prevents all three aspects of this section of the code being complied with.

“Moreover, with this existing layout, motorists have to cut from the outside lane across the bus lane to access the Tesco entrance. This is not only dangerous but also forces the motorist into the bus lane during prohibited times.”

Hull Council is defending the appeal. A statement said: “Clear signage is in place advising motorists of bus lane enforcement.”