Council to use CCTV to trap bus lane drivers

WARRINGTON is preparing to fine drivers who “trespass” in bus lanes, a Conservative councillor has learned.
A review of bus lanes across the borough will be carried out – and then enforcement will be introduced – starting in the Birchwood area.
Cllr Paul Kennedy, (pictured right) leader of the Conservative group on the borough council asked a question at the monthly meeting of the council in the wake of a decision by Liverpool City Council to scrap all but four of the city’s bus lanes on the grounds that, in the words of city mayor Joe Anderson, they “simply don’t work.”
Cllr Kennedy asked Cllr Linda Dirir, lead member for transportation, “Given that Liverpool City Council has shown the way in scrapping nearly all of their bus lanes, has the executive board member decided to do the same to Warrington’s bus lanes?”
The Labour executive member’s response was to say that Warrington had no intention of following Liverpool but intended carrying out a review of bus lanes and then to start enforcing them.
The first to be enforced would be in the Birchwood area.
She spoke approvingly of the bus lane enforcement scheme operating in Manchester.
Cllr Kennedy said: “My concern is that Warrington Borough Council might be tempted to use aggressive enforcement as a form of income generation.
“I live in hope, rather than expectation, that after the review the bus lanes in Wilderspool Causeway and Knutsford Road will be removed.”
Liverpool decided to scrap all but four of its bus lanes after carrying out trials, on the grounds that they did not work, although bus companies have since complained that maintaining punctual and reliable services have since become “more of a challenge.”
But in Manchester, enforcement of bus lanes using CCTV cameras is reported to be earning the city £1.375 million a year. One bus lane at Fallowfield is said to have earned almost £400,000 in a year.
Warrington has been considering using CCTV to enforce bus lanes since 2012 to help reduce a deficit of £242,000 on parking services.