Find out where three new bus lane cameras will be in Wolverhampton

A camera will be installed in Darlington Street in the city on January 9.

Two more will also be turned on in Wednesfield High Street and Hall Street in Bilston later next month. All three are restricted 24 hours a day.

The newest additions will bring the amount of bus lane cameras in the city up to 12.

• MORE: Where are Wolverhampton's bus lanes and cameras? The full map of where to avoid

The cameras are on roads described as 'bus gates', which prohibit any vehicle that isn't a bus, taxi or emergency services vehicle using them.

There will be a two-week amnesty before each camera goes live. The Wednesfield High Street has been delayed because it requires a special camera, which the council is waiting to take delivery of.

The Hall Street, Bilston, camera has been held up because placing signs in that part of the area is difficult due to traffic rat running through the bus station.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: "This will provide a deterrent to motorists currently using the bus lanes as short cuts."

He added: "There will be a two-week amnesty after the turn-on, but then after this people will get the fines.

"The message is simple - do not use the bus lanes, which are there to free traffic and encourage people to use public transport."

The city council claims that the cameras are necessary scheme across the city due to persistent contraventions from drivers. It says the scheme aims to improve public transport reliability, journey times and encourage sustainable travel.

Many motorists are being caught out in the city every day on the cameras already in place.

Some are restricted all day, every day, while others are open to everyone outside peak hours.

The latest three are in addition to those already installed at Pipers Row, Market Street, Stafford Street, Willenhall Road, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton Road, Wednesfield Road and Cleveland Street.

Drivers caught using a bus lane will face a £60 penalty, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

At the start of the year, 4,000 warning letters were sent out to motorists who used the bus lanes in Pipers Row, Market Street and Stafford Street. They escaped fines as they had breached the rules during the grace period after the cameras were first installed.

And 10,000 were caught on the same road in just eight months between June 2015 and March this year, raking in a potential £635,000 for the city council.

Disgruntled drivers voiced their anger about the Wolverhampton Road camera, claiming they were getting snapped by the camera in Heath Town when performing legitimate U-turns.