THE Government is seeking views about councils fining drivers who stray into bus lanes and box junctions – but respondents need to be quick as the survey closes on Saturday.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the government was planning to act over concerns local authorities were generating surpluses from issuing PCNs (penalty charge notices) for a range of moving traffic restrictions, including no entry, no left or right turns, and driving in mandatory cycle lines.
The government says the enforcement powers should free up police time and reduce traffic congestion, but it wanted PCNs to be issues proportionally and not used to raise revenue.
The review aims to gather evidence of what local authorities currently do, while also exploring options to restrict a local authority’s ability to generate surpluses from traffic contraventions.
Announcing the review, Mr Harper said: “These measures demonstrate our intent that drivers should be treated fairly, and the wishes of local people taken into account when decisions on traffic management are considered by local authorities.
“Further action on these measures and others in the Plan for Drivers will be announced later this year.”
As part of this plan for drivers, the government also wants to ensure bus lanes are installed only where there is a frequent bus service, traffic congestion and physical space for the lane to be installed.
“The Plan for Drivers confirms that this means bus lanes should be provided only where they are needed and should operate only when buses are running or when traffic is heavy enough to cause delays to buses. Bus priority measures should be developed with full consideration of the impacts on other road users,” government documents state.
On the PCNs review, Mr Harper said: “I want to hear the views of local councils, but also motorists, motoring organisations and the public in general on this issue.”
Reading Borough Council is one of 52 local authorities that has power to issue PCNs and does so for bus lane and box junction infringements.
It also has more bus lanes per mile of road than anywhere else in the country, and a high number of passengers using the buses.
In the year 2022/23, the last for such figures available, it issued £2.9 million in bus lane fines, with a surplus of £1.4 million.
It also issues £2 million of parking fines, with a deficit after costs of £60,000. Car parks also made a loss of £463,000.
The box junction cameras were installed from February 2023, so only 393 warning notices were issued.
The surpluses can be used on general transport measures. In Reading, the £6.6 million total revenue from 2022/23 has being used to fund concessionary bus passes on ReadiBus, adult social care transport, and CCTV. It has also been used for road and bridge maintenance, street lighting and supported bus services.
To take part, log on to gov.uk and search for Calls For Evidence.
