Drivers who block Bristol bus lanes to be fined
Drivers who park in Bristol's bus lanes will face £60 fines from June.
Bristol City Council's cabinet agreed last night to use its network of more than 100 closed circuit television cameras to identify culprits.
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Drivers who block Bristol bus lanes are to be fined
Anyone found breaking bus lane restrictions will be sent a fixed penalty notice through the post.
The standard fee will be £60, reducing to £30 if paid within 14 days.
The scheme will be monitored by the council's Urban Traffic Control (UTC) centre.
It is expected to bring in £180,000 during the first six months but is not a money-making scheme.
Its aim is to reduce traffic jams and help buses keep to their timetables.
Emergency services should also be able to get through the city faster.
The council will launch a city-wide publicity drive, including posters in car parks and on bus shelters as well on buses, and notices on pay and display parking tickets, information boards and on the council website.
For a couple of weeks after the scheme comes in, the authority will issue "ghost" tickets, accompanied by leaflets explaining why the fines have been introduced.
The authority is planning to move hundreds of workers from various offices in the city into the former Somerfield headquarters there.
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by Torchy, the battery boy
Friday, May 01 2009, 4:17PM
“This subject makes I laugh, I would say 80% of motorists in Bristol don't even understand bus lanes and their use.
A classic example of this is on the A37 inbound at the location of the old Gaiety cinema,,,this is a BUS LANE from 7-10am at ALL other times it is an ordinary lane to be used by EVERYONE.
Just observe the idiots that straddle the lanes think should I go into that lane or not, and if you should have the cheek to use the lane correctly be prepared for plenty of flack.
Vocational drivers are just as bad and should know better.”
by I.R KITTEH, Bristol
Friday, May 01 2009, 4:04PM
“The drivers of the UWE buses are even worse..
they still don't seem to do anything about people parking along stokes croft on double yellows which blocks the road and cycle path...but as its not a bus lane they don't care...nor do they stop the shop keeepers of glos road unloading on double yellows or at junctions by the arches..”
by James S, Bristol
Friday, May 01 2009, 3:15PM
“I think the one thing that might unite the car drivers and cyclists of Bristol is a mutual hatred of the insanely aggressive and rude bus drivers First tend enjoy employing.”
by gareth, bristol
Friday, May 01 2009, 3:00PM
“Sam
I would really write and have a go at first bus, take your wing mirror and sort it out . As some bus drivers do think they rule the roost, as far as roads are concerned.”
by The Beef, The Ponds
Friday, May 01 2009, 2:52PM
“A good way to treble the size of a copy of the Evening Post is to print pictures each night of every offender who breaks these ridiculously obvious rules and Photoshop donkey's ears onto them so we can all have a good laugh at them, knowing that a hearty fine will be landing on their doorstep soon.
I mean, just how stupid do you have to be to block a bus lane? These people must have to be told when to breathe!
How people dare try and defend themselves in this situation I have no idea, except to try and blame other people for their own stupidity and selfishness.
They're the same idiots who don't realise that 95 is a bigger number than 70 and instead of blaming themselves they have a go at speed cameras or even the police. Frightening.”