36,545 drivers fined for using bus-only route
BUT CITY COUNCIL SAYS ROAD SIGNS ARE CLEAR ENOUGH
CONFUSION over signs and out-ofdate satnavs are among the reasons cited by motorists for getting caught out in a Nottingham bus lane fine hotspot.
A total of 36,545 fines have been issued to drivers in Canal Street this year.
But Nottingham City Council says more than 99 percent of drivers are managing to observe the signs and travel around the area without being fined.
Canal Street, from the junction with Greyfriar Gate to Middle Hill, can only be used by buses and authorised vehicles, while regular traffic is re-routed towards Castle Boulevard or Wilford Road and on to the southern relief route.
The bus lane was installed in September 2020 as part of the pedestrianisation of Nottingham’s southern gateway.
The breakdown of exact locations on the road where the 36,545 drivers were caught is as follows:
30,328 fines at Canal Street near Albion Street eastbound;
5,817 at Canal Street near Greyfriar Gate;
399 at Canal Street near Middle Hill had (East);
One at Canal Street near Middle Hill (West).
Student Cara Walters, 22, received a bus lane fine on Canal Street last month.
She said: “I was following my satnav on my phone and the system hadn’t updated to inform car users that the road had become bus and taxi only.
“Frustratingly I saw other cars using the road so I presumed it was a normal route for drivers but I later realised it wasn’t.
“Then I got a ticket in the post and a £60 fine.
“I’ve seen many other road users receive a fine in the same place, road signs indicating ‘bus only’ are poor and scarce in the particular area.
“My main issue is the navigation - I think that needs to be sorted.
“Road signs need to be a lot clearer the area is so confusing and it is hard to focus on everything at once.”
Mark Golds-jones, 55, Lowdham, was driving in the city on April 8 for the first time since changes were made to the road network in September 2020, bringing in a bus-only lane on the busy Canal Street.
The fine was overturned on appeal. Mr Golds-jones said: “It’s still chaos down there.
“That many signs and that many things that have changed when you’re trying to drive and process it all, you can’t it is too much.
“Signs are always good but its just the amount and positioning of them. It’s a very weird situation. By the time I realised where I was it was too late to turn back or go anywhere. People should definitely appeal it.
“Most people will pay it because they’re frightened not to.”
A driver who wished to remain anonymous, also received a bus lane fine at Canal Street.
She said: “The layout of the road is incredibly confusing. I didn’t see the road signs as I was too focused on the lay out of the road, I was just driving home. It was an honest mistake but I can definitely see why other people also received fines there.”
But Nottingham City Council insists the majority of drivers don’t have any issues with the new route.
A spokesperson said: “We have removed or reduced traffic in central parts of the Broad Marsh area as part of a complete transformation of the area – with an exciting vision for the former shopping centre site only just announced. A safe and pleasant pedestrian-friendly destination for people to enjoy is being created by restricting access to pedestrians, buses, taxis and cyclists.
“This has involved moving traffic onto a route further out of the centre which is better suited for major traffic movements across the city. It may take time for people to adjust to the new road layouts, but we have put an appropriate amount of signage in place to alert motorists.
“We have put up some additional large electronic signs to provide further alerts about the bus lane. More than 99 percent of drivers are managing to observe the signs and travel around the area without being fined.”