3,500 drivers in Walsall bus lane fines
Almost 3,500 motorists have been fined for using bus lanes illegally in less than six months, new figures have revealed.
Walsall Council has launched a crackdown on problem drivers which has seen a car equipped with a mobile camera take to the streets.
It aims to catch drivers across the borough who use lanes to queue jump.
The fines have been dished out between last September and January of this year.
Drivers are asked to pay £60, although it is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Figures also reveal that a total of 220 motorists have appealed against their fines.
They were all issued between last September and January of this year. Council chiefs vowed to take action after receiving requests from bus operators.
Regeneration and transport chief councillor Adrian Andrew said: "During September 2013 to January 2014, we issued 3,439 penalty charge notices for bus lane contraventions and received 225 appeals.
"The relatively low number of appeals proves we're getting the message across to motorists that bus lanes shouldn't be used and this is now evident with improved compliance levels. Bus lane enforcement was only introduced due to the high number of bus lane contraventions within Walsall, which was leading to unnecessary delays for bus operators and service users."
There are bus lanes in areas such as Somerfield Place, Willenhall and Wolverhampton Road West, Bentley and around the town centre in Lichfield Street and St Paul's Street.
