Car sharing lane on Bristol ring road 'not enforced'

Car sharing in South Gloucestershire is not growing as fast as it could because a 2+ lane on the Avon Ring Road is not being enforced, it has been claimed.

A Freedom of Information request to Avon and Somerset Police revealed just 20 drivers were fined during the financial year 2012/13.

Steve Ward from the University of the West of England (UWE) said it would never be a "top police priority".

A force spokesman said officers would deal with any offenders seen by police.

He said the constabulary regularly held neighbourhood meetings at which local policing priorities are discussed with the public.

"Now the matter has been brought to our attention we will consider directing resources to monitor the lanes more frequently in an effort to deter people from abusing them," he added.

Mr Ward, a travel planner at UWE, said the 2+ lanes were there to help people travel more sustainably and help buses stay on time.

"The figures go a long way to explaining why car sharing isn't growing as fast as we would like to see it.

"It's disappointing but I realise the police have other crime-fighting priorities. But a little bit of enforcement would help benefit everyone.

"There's nothing more frustrating than being sat in a queue of traffic and seeing people on their own driving past in the 2+ lane.

"If everyone does the right thing it helps everybody," he said.

The lane is operational between 07:30 and 09:30 weekdays.