Fines given to unsuspecting drivers diverted on to a bus lane for roadworks have been axed.

Hundreds of motorists who drove through Saltdean no longer have their £70 penalty charges hanging over their heads after the council accepted signs could have been clearer.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been accused of having a "left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing" by Saltdean councillor Bridget Fishleigh. She said the fines should never have been issued in the first place.

The Argus: Bridget FishleighBridget Fishleigh

Emergency Southern Water engineering works on the busy A259 coast road meant cars were diverted into the bus lane heading west between March 5 and 7.

Unless drivers immediately drove back into the regular lane, they were slapped with a penalty charge notice from the cameras monitoring the lane.

Among those affected was railway worker Pete Shewell, from Newhaven, who was "gobsmacked" when the fine dropped through his letterbox.

"They forced you to go into the bus lane through the roadworks and then you get a fine for it," he said.

The Argus: Pete Shewell holding his finePete Shewell holding his fine (Image: Supplied)

The fine was £70 unless paid within 14 days, in which case it was £35. Video taken by cameras watching the lane, as evidence given to drivers, shows the roadworks in the same frame as the car.

After a report in The Argus, the chairman of the council’s transport and sustainability committee, Councillor Trevor Muten, said: "Some drivers did not return to the normal driving lane after passing the roadworks, and were therefore issued with penalty charge notices for driving in a bus lane.

The Argus: Marine Drive, where the roadworks wereMarine Drive, where the roadworks were (Image: Google)

“We have reviewed the footage from our enforcement cameras and plans provided by Southern Water. These confirm that the roadworks were strictly speaking set out correctly.

“But adding extra signage to make things clearer could have helped remind drivers to re-enter the correct lane.

“We apologise for the confusion some drivers clearly felt, and will look to learn from this when similar roadworks are required in future.

“We will be cancelling any penalty charge notices issued during the works period."