Bristol bus lane drivers fined by police

People illegally driving in a bus lane in Bristol city centre have been stopped and fined by police.

In an operation lasting an hour and a half, officers gave 26 drivers a £30 fine for using the bus lane in Temple Way.

The lane, which is less than 100 metres long between the traffic lights at Temple Back and Temple roundabout is clearly signed and marked with red tarmac.

Buses, taxis and bikes are allowed to use it, although critics argue the lane is often empty during rush hour while the other two lanes approaching the roundabout are gridlocked.

The Association of British Drivers criticised police chiefs for wasting officers' time.

High Blaydon, a spokesman for the group, said: "Anyone who installs a bus lane which is as short as the one on Temple Way needs their head read.

"It's nonsensical. All it seems to achieve is causing an obstacle to traffic. Is it any wonder motorists who are fed up of waiting in traffic then drive along it?

"The police need to question what they are doing standing at the roadside waiting for these motorists when no doubt people are being robbed and mugged while they are stood there handing out their £30 fines."

During the operation on Thursday night, officers found two drivers illegally using the bus lane who had small amounts of cannabis on them.

They were handed on-the-spot cautions for possessing illegal drugs as they were deemed to be for personal use.

Police have said they will carry out other random checks on bus lanes around the city centre in a bid to stop motorists using them illegally.

Many of the drivers stopped by police on Thursday said they were using the lane because it was empty.

PC Nick King, the neighbourhood beat manager for the area, said "Drivers of all ages and gender were found to be breaking the law.

"Most admitted they just don't like waiting in the static traffic at the end of the day.

"We carried out this operation in response to concerns from members of the public and we will continue to carry out similar operations in the coming weeks."

Further operations will be carried out by police at random and unannounced at other bus lanes, including Redcliff Hill on the approach to Bedminster roundabout.

Mr King added: "Bus lanes can only be used by buses, taxis and motorcycles.

"This operation should send a clear message to other motorists that they cannot use bus lanes and anyone found to be doing so will receive a fixed penalty notice.

"We do not want to fine people however, and I hope that motorists will heed the warning, such behaviour will not be tolerated.

"This operation is in response to concerns from members of the public and shows that we will listen to residents' views and act on them where we can."

This comes after it was announced that motorists who park in Bristol bus lanes could be fined using CCTV footage

Bristol City Council confirmed that it plans to use its network of more than 100 cameras to read number plates and send through fixed penalty notices by post.

The fine is likely to be the standard £60 charge, reduced to £30 if paid within 28 days.

In December the Bristol Post reported how police targeted cyclists running red light.