MOTORISTS were stopped and spoken to by police for driving in a controversial Blackburn bus lane during rush hour.

Officers from South West Neighbourhood Policing Team and representatives from the Safer Travel Unit pulled over 50 people in Preston Old Road yesterday morning.

They were acting on information from 'fed-up' bus drivers and local residents of people flouting the 7.30am-9am bus lane restrictions on Preston Old Road near Witton Park.

Eight motorists were given words of advice for driving in the bus lane during the peak hours and a further seven were fined £40 each for not wearing seatbelts.

Ten people were breathalysed and all tested negative for alcohol.

The 400m long bus lane is used by seven buses coming into Blackburn town centre.

It was opposed by residents 12 months ago when it was first painted into the carriageway.

The £500,000 project was designed to improve traffic flow on the stretch of road.

As part of the morning crackdown, two drivers were fined £40 for flashing their headlights to warn other cars of a mobile speed camera in Revidge Road.

Sergeant Paul Schofield said the two motorists given fixed penalty notices for ‘misuse of headlights’ saying ‘technically it is an offence of obstructing police’.

He added: “The bus lane has a restriction on its use between certain times of the day.

“It has been highlighted at PACT meetings. It is there to get kids to school safely and help move traffic along.

“Many motorists who contravene this prohibition on a regular basis are putting other motorists’ safety at risk.

“It was a very productive and high profile day and one we will be repeating in the near future.”