'Unsuspecting motorists' hit with an 'incredible' 27,000 fines during controversial bus gate's first year

The ‘incredible’ number of Penalty Charge Notices issued by Stockport council

The ‘incredible’ number of Penalty Charge Notices issued by Stockport council has been revealed following a Freedom of Information Request by one of the drivers caught out at the Heaton Lane Bus Gate.

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‘Unsuspecting motorists’ have been hit with more than 27,000 fines since enforcement began at a controversial town centre ‘bus gate’. The ‘incredible’ number of Penalty Charge Notices issued by Stockport council has been revealed following a Freedom of Information Request by one of the drivers caught out at the Heaton Lane Bus Gate.

It covers a year from when fines were first issued in April 2022 to the end of March this year. General traffic was banned from the stretch of Heaton Lane running between the A6 Wellington Road North and Travis Brow last February with only buses, cyclists and licensed taxis now allowed through.

Bosses say this is part of the ‘ongoing multi-million-pound transformation' of the town's new transport Interchange and makes Heaton Lane a more attractive walking and cycling corridor. Fines are issued at £60 - but reduced to £30 if paid within a fortnight - taking the potential haul from the 27,552 fines upwards of £1.6m.

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The furious driver who made the FOI request has questioned the road signs as well as the decision to implement the scheme during the cost of living crisis. In an email to the MEN, they said it was ‘quite incredible’ for the council to do so at ‘a time when people are struggling to pay bills, mortgages etc’.

"I believe the signage in the area does not give adequate warning to drivers on the main road prior to the turn warning of the bus lane nor is there adequate signage stating the route that should be taken to get to the M60. However my appeal on this basis not surprisingly failed."

As part of its FOI response, the council has confirmed that the temporary signage is currently under a planned 12 month review, which will determine if additional permanent signage is required. However, the driver remains unconvinced.

"I would hate to think that Stockport council was trying to make a fortune from unsuspecting motorists...but I do," they added.

It comes after another disgruntled motorist discovered that the council had raked in nearly £1m - £896,141.50 - from bus gate fines between April and December last year. Philip Brooks, from Mellor, accused the town hall of running a ‘cynical and calculated money-raising scam’ after his appeal on the basis of 'inadequate signage' was turned down.

The council denied this, explaining that Heaton Lane is currently home to the town centre's temporary bus station which will become the key route in and out of the new multi-million-pound transport interchange when it is completed.

Bosses say it is therefore ‘essential’ it is kept clear of traffic, adding that a road linking Travis Brow and the A6 was also completed in 2019 providing access between the two roads and the Pyramid roundabout they added.

A council spokesperson said: "The bus gate was launched on February 22, 2022 as part of plans to improve access to the transport interchange. Initially warning letters were issued to motorists before PCNs were then sent out from April 4, 2022.

"In addition to the statutory signage located on Heaton Lane itself, we have also installed additional temporary warning signage on the A6 and surrounding roads to inform motorists of the restriction and that enforcement has been live since April 2022.

"The introduction of the bus gate was promoted on the council's website and social media channels. The issue of adequacy of signage has been considered at a number of Traffic Penalty Tribunals where people have appealed. The decision at the tribunals have been that the signage is satisfactory and complies with all relevant legislation."

The council says that, in this case, the complainant's appeal was rejected but he has the right to make a further appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Details of how to appeal have been supplied.

Bosses also point people to an explanation to the background to the bus gate which is available on the council website, here.

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