MOTORISTS have been warned that the council is set to begin bus lane enforcement on a town centre road.

From the beginning of August, new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be fully operational and will capture drivers engaging in unauthorised use of the bus lane on Academy Street.

ANPR cameras are already operating on bus lanes across the town, including on Wilderspool Causeway, Knutsford Road, lower Bridge Street, Winwick Road, the bus gate between Birchwood Way and Ordnance Avenue, Boston Boulevard and Legh Street.

The Academy Street bus lane will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week – with only buses, permitted taxis, cycles and emergency services vehicles allowed to use the lane.

The cameras will capture the registration plate details of all vehicles driving illegally along the bus lane.

Owners of these vehicles may be issued with a penalty charge notice.

The installation of bus lane cameras is part of the council’s ongoing work to promote sustainable transport.

It says bus lanes aim to help provide a more reliable bus service and increase passenger numbers by enabling buses to have a more reliable journey along some of Warrington’s most congested roads.

A fine of £60 will be generated and sent in the post in accordance with Department for Transport guidelines.

In order to encourage prompt payment, penalties paid within 14 days will be subject to 50 per cent discount, while any ticket served and not paid before the end of the ‘relevant period’ of 28 days will be subject to an extra 50 per cent charge.

But there is an appeals process for people who receive a fine.

The council is a member of the Bus Lane Adjudication Service Joint Committee, whose Traffic Penalty Tribunal acts as an independent appeals body.

You can find out how to challenge a ticket at warrington.gov.uk/bus-lanes-and-fines