Fines for drivers using bus lanes

Motorists using bus and tram lanes will face a £60 fine

Drivers who try to speed up their journeys by using bus lanes and tram gates in part of Sheffield are to face fines of up to £60.

Managers at Sheffield City Council are using CCTV cameras pointed at the bottlenecks to catch motorists using public transport lanes.

Enforcement will start on the Wicker from Monday.

A similar scheme at Hillsborough Corner has cut journey times "significantly", the council said.

'Not fair'

Councillor Bryan Lodge, cabinet member for transport, said: "Using the bus gate may take time off an individual motorist's journey but usually at the expense of people using public transport.

"Passengers and motorists alike think this simply isn't fair. At present we have a large number of motorists using the Wicker bus gate.

"We don't want to fine motorists, we want drivers to obey the rules and help keep buses moving through the Wicker."

Motorists will initially be given advisory warning notices. Those who use the gates again will receive a Penalty Charge Notice.