More than 900 fines at bus gate with no buses

The bus gate restriction was introduced in 2022

Residents have criticised new figures that show more than 900 motorists were fined for going through a bus gate despite no scheduled buses using the road.

Church Lane in Darley Abbey, Derby, is closed to motorists from the A6 Duffield Road between 07:00 and 09:00, Monday to Friday.

The restriction was introduced in 2022 to stop drivers using it as a shortcut into the city centre but residents have branded it "unfair".

A Freedom of Information request answered on Derby City Council's disclosure log revealed the authority issued 915 fines from January to September and confirmed no scheduled buses use Church Lane.

Motorists receive a fixed penalty notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

It means from January to September this year, the council received more than £32,000.

Wanda Page said the city council should remove the bus gate

The council said while no commercial services used the route, Derbyshire Community Transport did run the Allestree Shuttle in the area.

However this service, which runs three times a day, does not use the bus gate - a short stretch of road only buses and authorised vehicles can us - between 07:00 and 09:00.

Wanda Page, 77, who lives on South Avenue close to the bus gate, said she had to divert an extra mile and a half to access her home if she was out in the car in the morning.

She also said her daughter, who lives further down Church Lane, has also received two fines.

"You do forget about it... we've been on to the council to say that residents should be [exempt] but they don't agree with that, they think we should pay," she said.

"To me, it's just a money-making scheme. Most people don't understand what the sign means anyway - I think most of the neighbours have had tickets, it isn't fair.

"They need to get rid of it."

The council said the measures had successfully managed to reduce traffic in the area

David Furniss, who lives on Nutwood Close around the corner from Mrs Page, has had a similar experience.

He and his partner have received a number of tickets with some rescinded on appeal, he said.

Mr Furniss also said builders carrying out some work on his house had also been fined.

"There's been a lot of problems, especially when you're out and about attending the doctors' surgery," he said.

"It's very bad and as for the fines, it gotten out of hand now. To me, I just think it's a way for the council to make some more money."

Mr Furniss said there needed to be improved signage for people who were not familiar to the area.

David Furniss told the BBC there needed to be better signage for people

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "Following positive feedback from widespread public consultation, through which local residents had the opportunity to share their views, the Church Lane bus gate was introduced to reduce traffic levels in the area.

"Since its introduction, the bus lane has been very successful in reducing traffic during peak morning times.

"While there are no commercial bus routes serving Church Lane, it is still used by school buses, private works buses and coaches. The signage in the area makes the bus gate and restriction times clear from all approaches.

"There are currently no plans to review the bus gate, however, residents can raise their concerns through their Local Neighbourhood Board."