Bolton motorists fall foul of new bus lane traffic cameras

Almost 8,000 motorists in Bolton have been fined – or warned – in the first three months of bus lane traffic enforcement at 14 sites across the borough.

The bus lane cameras were activated on a phased basis on October 9 last year, with drivers who contravene during operating hours receiving warning letters or penalty charge notices.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras capture the registration plate details of all vehicles driving illegally along the bus lane.

Speaking at a meeting of Bolton council on Wednesday, cabinet member Hamid Khurram revealed that for the initial six months of the scheme, drivers who contravene the restrictions for the first time will be sent warning letters and not fixed penalties, however, more than 1,000 drivers who fell foul more than once have been fined.

The Bolton News: New enforcement cameras were switched on on October 9.

He said: “We all recognise the delay in bringing forward bus lane improvement I’m pleased things are now in place.

“From October, 6,688 warning notices and 1,067 penalty notices have been issued. “We will continue to issue warning notices to all first contraventions for the first six months of the scheme.

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“To manage the workload in the team it has been important to introduce enforcement on a phased basis with more bus lanes going live in the coming months. “To date the penalty notices paid have resulted in income of £19,460.”

Cllr Khurram denied that the cameras were being used as a money making scheme by the council. He, said: “Next year is expected to be the first year when parking services will achieve their income target as all lanes will be operational in terms of enforcement.

“But this is not about generation on income, congestion is the main reason.

“Tackling congestion will not only improve bus reliability, it will increase air quality and make roads safer.”

Motorists were warned beforehand they would face fines for up to £70 for driving in bus lanes at certain times in the days running up to the cameras being switched on.

There are currently 14 bus lanes across the borough and enforcement was previously been carried out by traffic wardens and the police.

The hours of operation of bus lane enforcement are in line with Greater Manchester’s standard times which aim to bring consistency across the region. Most of the areas affected will be from 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm on week days with some operating all day every day.

Here are the locations of the 14 bus lanes in Bolton and hours of enforcement:

Newbrook Road; west side from a point 162 metres north of its intersection with the extended northerly kerb-line of Wellington Road, to a point 82 metres south of its intersection with the extended southerly kerb-line of Fletcher Street