Burnley bus lane drivers given £30 fines

3:31pm Friday 16th May 2008

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MOTORISTS caught driving in bus lanes during the daytime were handed out fixed penalty notices in a town centre clampdown.

Police, working with Burnley Council, issued notices and words of advice to motorists who flouted the law by driving in Hammerton Street, Burnley, which is for bus, hackney carriage and cycle use only.

A total of 10 fixed penalty notices - £30 fines - were handed out with 15 cars being stopped in a bid to make drivers aware of the restriction between 1pm and 4pm yesterday.

People with access problems such as disabled drivers were offered words of advice rather than being fined.

The operation, the first of its kind in the daytime on a weekday, has been very successful elsewhere in the past, PC Faz Mahmed, town centre community beat manager said.

PC Mahmed added: "This is the first time it has been done during the day.

"We have done it on Friday and Saturday nights in the past as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. At these times the streets can be full of pedestrians so it is a safety issue."

The operation, involving PCSO Francesco Franco and Burnley Council's taxi enforcement officer, was aimed at raising awareness amongst drivers that the restrictions exist.

PC Mahmed added: "It is illegal for any vehicle other than a hackney carriage, bus or cycle to travel past the junction of St James Street and Bethesda Street.

"There is a sign which states this. Some vehicles abide by this restriction and some flout it.

"This is an operation to enforce this during the day time when you might get drivers who don't come into the centre that often.

"We are clamping down to ensure people know about the restrictions in a bid to stop them acting illegally."