Local authority forced to return £88k to drivers after major error saw thousands unfairly fined
Drivers were incorrectly fined for using a bus lane over summer
PA
A major traffic error has cost a local authority more than £88,000 to fix after incorrectly fining thousands of drivers.
Edinburgh City Council has issued over 1,000 penalties to drivers with 884 tickets already paid for using a bus lane during the summer despite the traffic measure being invalid.
According to a Freedom of Information request, 114 tickets are still open while only eight have been cancelled and six were written off.
The fines were given to drivers who used the bus lane on Lanark Road but the traffic regulations expired on May 20 and were not replaced until June 17.
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Drivers are fined £100 for using a bus lane in Edinburgh
GETTYBut in changing orders during the 28-day gap, it meant thousands of drivers were slapped with penalties unnecessarily with the council now forced to return the money it collected.
The council website detailed how bus lanes and bus gates in Edinburgh can only be used by certain vehicles at specific times.
Peak time bus lanes generally operate from 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. During these times, only public service vehicles, taxis, motorcycles, pedal cycles and emergency service vehicles can use the lane.
If breached, motorists can receive a £100 charge if they drive in a bus lane or through a bus gate when they are not allowed.
But this fee can be reduced by half to £50 if the driver pays the charge within 14 days of receiving the penalty.
The council did note that it was working on a process for issuing refunds for all payments received saying it will be an “automatic, fully auditable process which will not require the customer to contact us”.
Councillor Jason Rust, who has been calling for the fines to be refunded, said residents had been in touch to complain about being “erroneously fined”.
He said: “I am pleased that the council is taking action to quash the tickets.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Jenkinson Transport and Environment Committee Convener, said he was sorry for “any inconvenience caused”.
He commented: “We’re currently investigating this matter but I’d like to assure residents that anyone who has received a fine in error will either have it cancelled or be reimbursed.”
Last year, the council handed out 64,195 tickets for using a bus lane, generating £1.9million in revenue.
This was slightly less than the year before when the local authority issued 70,793 tickets, raking in over £2million.
From 15 April 2024, bus lane charge notices increased to £100 from their original £60 in a bid to add more deterrent measures.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Drivers are not permitted to travel on bus lanes unless otherwise specified PAThe 24-hour bus lanes currently operating are at Johnston Terrace, Bread Street, Inglis Green Road, Ocean Terminal, A90, west of Barnton Junction.