Cheltenham bus lane cameras to be switched on

It is hoped the new measures will also encourage more walking and cycling and improve road safety

A town is switching on new cameras to stop motorists using bus lanes.

Signs are being put up in Cheltenham to warn people about the cameras, which are at two locations near GCHQ and on Barley Road in Prestbury.

Phillip Williams, assistant director of traffic and transport at Gloucestershire County Council, said it would help to keep buses on schedule.

He said the council was investing £4.5m into buses and they did not want them stuck in unnecessary traffic jams.

It is hoped the new measures will also cut congestion, encourage more walking and cycling and improve road safety.

One camera on the A40 near the Benhall Roundabout and another at the Arle Court Roundabout on the B4063 Old Gloucester Road.

A third is being placed on Barley Road in Prestbury, near the racecourse.

Mr Williams told BBC Radio Gloucestershire the council was investing in improvements to more sustainable transport.

He said the signs ahead of the cameras were clear and gave fair warnings to motorists.

'Money generator'

Councillor Dave Norman said the believed a small number of people who drive down bus lanes pose a risk to everyone.

But Bob Bull from the Alliance of British Drivers claimed the council saw the plan as a money generator.

"They should really be spending the money on perhaps doing potholes and repairing roads, rather than just collecting money off of people that make small mistakes on where they're driving," he added.

The cameras will be in use in three locations in Cheltenham

Michael Hill of Briarfields Hotel and Touring Park, which is near one of the cameras, said: "It's the way it's got to go forward if we want to see public transport be efficient in the area."

The enforcement on the three bus lanes is set to go live on 4 December.

During the first few weeks motorists will receive only a warning before being fined if they drive in the bus lanes.

Enforcement of other traffic offences, including stopping in a yellow box junction, banned turns and going the wrong way in a one-way street, are due to follow in January.

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