New moves by Middlesbrough Council to charge motorists for the misuse of the bus lane on Newport Road in a bid to generate money have been described as “sickening”.
Amongst the cuts and job losses set out as part of the recent proposals for the budget 2015-16 by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon, drivers in the region are being targeted.
In a bid to save Middlesbrough Council millions of pounds, it was revealed that the charge for the misuse of the bus lane on Newport Road would help generate an income of £30,000.
Cameras were installed on Newport Road in June this year to act as a deterrent to those misusing the bus lanes on both the eastbound and westbound carriageway.
Funded by the Department for Transport’s Tees Valley Bus Network Improvements scheme, the purpose of the cameras is to ensure that buses are not obstructed or delayed by other motorists using the dedicated lanes.
A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: “Despite the clear warning people do continue to misuse the bus lanes and are then subject to a fine.
“By studying similar schemes elsewhere in the country it is clear that this behaviour is inevitable and using the evidence and figures available we are able to make the estimates outlined in the budget proposals.”
Unauthorised entry to the lanes is punishable by a £60 penalty charge notice, which is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Director of The TaxPayers’ Alliance John O’Connell said: “Middlesbrough Council has to look for savings through cutting inefficiency and mustn’t use the financial situation as an excuse for hiking fines and charges.
“Everybody must obey the rules of the road and it’s right that those deliberately misusing the lanes are punished but drivers will be watching the council very carefully indeed to make sure the bus lane fees aren’t being used as a money-making scheme.”
RAC spokesman Simon Williams also said: “Introducing cameras to ensure a bus lane is not wrongly used by motorists is one thing but it is quite another to bring them in with the intention of raising a specific amount of money. Motorists will inevitably find this sickening.
The council has reassured drivers that the road layout, signing and road markings have been designed to minimise opportunities for misuse of the bus lanes and that any income will go back into road safety initiatives.
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