CCTV to be introduced to stop motorists using bus lanes

Brighton and Hove City Council announced it will install the cameras to crackdown on drivers illegally using the A259 bus lane.

An average of 125 motorists an hour were spotted using the lanes during a study last year.

Enforcement will begin in the next few weeks with CCTV cameras installed east of the Rottingdean traffic lights on the A259.

Drivers caught out could face a £70 fine for misusing the lanes which give priority to buses, taxis, cyclists and motorbikes.

In a one-day survey last year, nearly 1,500 cars and vans were found driving in the last ten metres of the bus lane.

More than 600 offenders moved into the lane between 30 and 50 metres which prevented buses from entering the bus stop.

The survey was carried out as part of the trial looking at allowing motorcycles to use the bus lane.

The council has also received complaints about delays to buses caused by vehicles filtering into the dedicated lane before the traffic lights rather than moving over to the left at the end of the bus lane.

A council spokeswoman said compliance with the bus lanes in the city was “generally good” with just 12 penalty notices issued per day for misusing the lanes.

Councillor Ian Davey, lead member for transport at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We need to make sure that bus lanes are free from unauthorised vehicles so that buses can provide a reliable, efficient and attractive service to the city’s residents and visitors.

“This bus lane also offers an alternative route for cyclists and motorcyclists on a popular coastal stretch.

“It’s time to do something about the increasing numbers of vehicles driving in the bus lane at Rottingdean.”

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus Company, said: “People in Brighton and Hove use their buses more than any city outside the capital and keeping the bus lanes moving for all the bus users is essential for the economic and social life of the city.”