More than 15,000 bus gate fines in about a year

Bus gate fines have generated nearly £400,000 in 14 months, Sunderland City Council said

A 'bus gate' has seen more than 15,000 fines handed out to city drivers in just over a year.

Sunderland City Council installed enforcement cameras at a new bus-only section of road at Holmeside on 1 April last year to improve safety and public transport journey times.

According to council figures, drivers were charged a total of more than £380,820 after 15,159 fines were issued in the first 14 months of the bus gate.

The local authority said the measure had improved compliance with traffic arrangements in the area, making it safer for pedestrians.

It added the number of fines had decreased by about 45% when comparing data from November 2024 with data up to the end of June 2025, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The bus gate has been operating since 1 April 2024

The bus gate gives priority to buses travelling along Holmeside through to Vine Place.

The Labour-led city council previously said income from bus gate penalty charges could only be used for works on "highways, public transport and environmental projects".

More than 5,000 fines were issued in the first six months of the new measure, after about 2,230 warnings were given out during a two-week grace period between 18 March and 1 April 2024.

The £70 fine can be discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days.

About 1,635 appeals had been made over the first 14 months of the bus gate, with about 469 of those rejected.