Bedford Borough Council to enforce bus lane rules

A local authority that has adopted powers to enforce bus lane legislation has said it is "not a money-making scheme".

Bedford Council now has the power, alongside police officers, to issue fixed penalty notices to motorists disregarding bus lane rules.

Cllr Charles Royden said it would "keep the network moving and people safe".

He said: "It is a responsibility we have as a council and where we can take powers to do this we will."

Mr Royden said the decision to adopt the powers was not about making money, but it would be hard to justify without being able to take fines.

Cover the costs

"If there is a way to recoup the cost involved in keeping traffic moving freely it will encourage us to take these measures," he said.

"It is not a money-making scheme.

"The council will retain an income from the fines received but we expect it to be about three years before we have covered the cost and then the expenditure which comes back can be reinvested."

Mr Royden said the cost of the enforcement cameras was about £37,000 with running costs of about £12,000 per year.