Drivers fined for flouting laws

Almost 60 fines in just 10 weeks have been issued to motorists who flout driving laws in Walsall town centre, police revealed today after it was claimed more action is needed to stop accidents near the bus station.

Officers said they were doing all they could to police the controversial station and surrounding roads. It comes after an accident between two cars and two buses in St Paul's Street on Monday. The cars, a Range Rover and a Mini Cooper, should not have been travelling along the street.

It is restricted to buses, taxis and permit holders.

Sgt Adam Reynolds, from the Walsall town centre policing team, said officers were constantly in the town centre, enforcing driving and parking laws.

"We have stepped up our patrols within the area as part of our Operation Intrusive patrol strategy and have received very favourable feedback from visitors and bus station staff," he said.

"In the last 10 weeks we have issued in excess of 57 fixed penalty tickets.

"There is clear signage in place telling motorists they cannot turn right at that junction, if any driver is caught ignoring this they will be issued with a fine."

On Monday, council leader Mike Bird criticised drivers who continue to break the law. He also asked for police to ensure everything possible was being done to enforce the rules.

Councillor Bird said the council had already written to the Government asking for the fixed penalty powers to be transferred from police to council parking wardens.

No-one was hurt in Monday's accident but the badly-damaged vehicles had to be towed away. It was the latest in a string of crashes since the station opened in 2000.

In July 2007, pedestrian Jean Crump, aged 65, from Bentley, was killed and 16 people injured at the station. A few months later, two buses collided at the station and left two women trapped and one man badly injured.