Camera enforcement has begun in Leicester’s Belgrave Gate to tackle motorists who illegally park in a bus stop.
Over the last two weeks, 245 warning notices have been issued to drivers stopping to load, unload or park in the bus stop clearway near Haymarket Bus Station.
The stop is part of the free, electric city centre Hop! circular bus route, which carries around 1,000 people a day around the city centre, and the frequent illegal parking there is causing congestion and slows down the Hop! service’s journey times.
More than 17 people a day have been handed warning notices during the initial two-week period from September 4.
From yesterday (Monday, September 18), motorists using the bus stop are being issued with a £70 penalty charge.
At the same time, civil enforcement officers working for the city council have stepped up enforcement of the loading only bay immediately opposite the bus stop, which again is often used for free parking, blocking the route to other traffic.
In all the work has cost around £25,000 for the CCTV installation and five-year operating contract, which is funded by the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).
Leicester deputy city mayor for climate, economy and culture, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “Keeping the city’s bus stops and bus lanes free of congestion is key to ensuring the buses remain reliable and run on time.
“As the high number of warning notices issued in the last two weeks shows, this particular bus stop is regularly used by people as a free place to park, unload or drop off people close to the city centre.
“Hopefully this enforcement action will help deter people from stopping there, meaning the bus stop remains clear and buses can pull right up to the kerb which is vital for passengers with mobility problems.”
Camera enforcement is already in use to keep the bus clearway outside Leicester Station free of traffic.
