Cheltenham bus lane enforcement cameras go live

The cameras will be in use in three locations in Cheltenham including at two locations near GCHQ

New cameras to stop motorists from using bus lanes have gone live.

Signs were previously put up in Cheltenham warning people of the cameras, which are at two locations near GCHQ and on Barley Road in Prestbury.

Gloucestershire County Council hoped the new measures would reduce congestion.

Motorists who drive in the bus lanes during the first few weeks would receive a warning before being fined.

The bus lanes with the new enforcement cameras are:

• B4063 Gloucester Road inbound bus lane Arle Court, Cheltenham

• A40 inbound Benhall, Cheltenham

• Barley Road, Prestbury

The measures come after the Department for Transport (DfT) invited local authorities to apply for new powers to enforce "moving traffic offences".

Gloucestershire County Council applied for the powers following a consultation, which were later granted by the government.

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

More enforcements such as wrongly using bus lanes, stopping in a yellow box junction, banned turns, going the wrong way in a one-way street or accessing a street where there is a prohibition of driving in place, were due in January.

The authority hoped the enforcement of traffic rules would also help reduce collisions, improve traffic flow, and the efficiency of public transport.

The council said any surplus funds raised through enforcement would be reinvested in parking, highways and transport services.