BUS lane enforcement is due to begin on a busy main road into Leicester next month.
The A50 Groby Road is a major bus route but services often become delayed due to heavy traffic and a pinch point at which the road itself narrows.
A designated bus lane has been in place on Groby Road since July 2022 and Leicester City Council is now bringing in camera enforcement to ensure only permitted vehicles – buses, Hackney carriages and cycles – use it.
It will come into effect from January 2, 2023.
The enforcement camera will be on the city-bound section of the A50 near Medina Road. During the first two weeks – January 2 to 15 – drivers will receive a warning notice, informing them they would be fined for driving in the bus lane once enforcement begins.
Drivers who continue to flout the law after the two-week grace period – from January 16 onwards – will be fined £70 if caught driving in the bus lane.
The camera will be active 24 hours, seven days a week, including bank holidays.
Bus lane camera enforcement is already in place at several other sites across Leicester, to ensure that important bus routes are not obstructed by other vehicles, delaying vehicles and adding to traffic congestion.
Enforcement on Groby Road is the latest measure designed to improve safety and traffic flow on that section of the A50.
The 30mph speed limit has recently been extended to cover more of that section of road, to manage traffic flow and to cut the number of traffic accidents.
The A50 bus lane camera enforcement is costing around £60k, from the Government’s National Productively Investment fund.
Leicester deputy city mayor for transport, clean air and climate emergency, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “The city’s bus network is a key part of our transport infrastructure, providing people with reliable, affordable and convenient public transport.
“However, people depending on bus services need to know they will be on time – congestion caused by other vehicles using bus lanes can cause unnecessary delays and disruption.
“We’ve been working closely with local bus companies to improve the city’s vehicles, services and infrastructure to ensure passengers have the best possible service, as part of the Leicester Bus Partnership.
“The A50 Groby Road is a vital part of the jigsaw, and therefore camera enforcement will help ensure traffic flow continues to move freely for the benefit of all road users.”
More details of the Leicester Bus Partnership are available at its website here.
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