DRIVERS who use a Worcester bus lane illegally will be fined from Monday.

More than 1,100 warning letters have been sent out to motorists who have used the bus lane in Lowesmoor illegally.

However, from Monday the bus lane enforcement scheme will officially begin and the council will start issuing penalty charges to motorists who ignore the law.

The enforcement cameras will cover Lowesmoor and St Nicholas Street permanently and Sansome Street to Lowesmoor between 3.30pm and 6.30pm every day.

First Bus said it has been an area of significant delays due to drivers using the bus lane.

The fines are £60 if paid within 28 days, this is discounted to £30 if paid in 14 days or less.

After 28 days the fine rises to £90 and Worcestershire County Council will take steps to enforce payment.

The warning letters were sent out in the period from Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 25.

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: “We know that the vast majority of Worcestershire motorists follow the rules but there is a minority which use our bus lanes illegally.

“This can lead to disruption for other road users and can cause congestion that leads to problems with air pollution.

“Lowesmoor has been identified by First Bus as a location of significant delays. The enforcement of the bus lane has been proposed to reduce these delays.”

Only buses and pedal cycles are allowed to use the bus lanes, and taxis are not allowed in bus lanes across Worcester.

However, Labour county councillors have called to allow taxis to use this busy bus lane to cut journey times and fares, as it’s a key route to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Councillor Paul Denham said: “Taxis are public transport and are really important in Worcester because we have far fewer, less frequent buses than we had a few years ago and none in the evenings when many people need them.

“Throughout most of the UK, taxis use bus lanes and it is hard to understand why Worcester is an exception.”