A BUSY bus lane will now have traffic enforcement cameras, due to cars using this lane illegally.

Worcestershire County Council agreed to install the camera at the Lowesmoor bus lane as it has been described as a ‘location of significant delay’ to the cross-city route for Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Concerns have also been raised about the high congestion in the area.

Drivers will be given a warning letter rather than a fixed penalty notice for two weeks followed by another two weeks grace, but after that, the bus lane enforcement scheme will begin issuing penalty charges to all vehicles using the bus lane illegally.

Councillor Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways said: “The vast majority of motorists do follow the rules but unfortunately the minority use the bus lanes illegally which causes disruptions for other road users and congestion, as this area suffers from air pollution, this measure also helps to address that environmental concern.

“Given that this is on the main route from the city to the hospital for buses, it is essential that we ensure buses are not delayed on this vital route, which is currently a problem. With restrictions on public transport due to social distancing measures, students returning back to school and university, this will see a rise in use of public transport, which makes it the right time to implement this scheme.”

There are two sections of the bus lane to be covered by traffic enforcement cameras:

• Lowesmoor to St Nicholas St bus gate enforceable 24 hours per day 7 days per week

• Sansome St to Lowesmoor bus lane enforceable 13.30pm to 6.30pm each day

The only vehicles that can use these bus lanes are buses and all emergency vehicles. Work is now in progress to begin with bus lane enforcement for the key bus route through Lowesmoor, to help the essential service to Worcestershire Royal Hospital run smoothly.

The Sansome St to Lowesmoor bus lane is part-time and the council believes enforcing it through the camera will help reduce traffic flow on Lowesmoor which will improve traffic for buses that are often delayed due to congestion. Encouraging bus use is an important aspect of the County Council’s policy for promoting more sustainable forms of transport to help reduce the environmental impact of road traffic congestion.