Bus gate ‘trap’ is axed after 30,000 fines

A CONTROVERSIAL bus gate in Walsall dubbed a “trap” where more than 30,000 motorists have been fined is set to be scrapped. Council bosses said a decision has been made not to make the Wolverhampton Street bus gate a “permanent measure”.

It was launched in July last year and has caught out thousands of motorists. In the first five months of the cameras going live, 25,000 motorists were hit with fines. It prompted Walsall Council to change the signage. Councillor Aftab Nawaz, leader of the opposition Labour group in Walsall, labelled the zone a “trap”. In December, it was revealed all drivers who had appealed their fines had been given their money back. Walsall Council said it will scrap the bus gate in a bid to promote an ongoing regeneration of the town centre, where a new Aldi is set to open alongside Tenpin and Ninja Warrior venues. After the signage was changed council leader Mike Bird claimed people might have eyesight problems if they could not see it. The road is located in the town centre, by the Light Cinema and the New Art Gallery.

Councillor Nawaz said he was delighted the restriction was being removed but said motorists caught out should be refunded.