Bournemouth Council made thousands through illegal bus lane driving

Bournemouth Council made almost £125,000 through bus lane parking Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) last year.

During the last financial year of 2018/19, a total of 4,252 PCNs were issued to drivers for illegal parking in bus lanes.

The data was released by the now Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP), following a Freedom of Information request submitted in February 2020.

The total figure of £122,884.00 can account for nearly £350 received per day through these penalty notices.

Cllr Andy Hadley of the Poole People and ALL Group, is the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure at BCP Council. He praised the use of PCNs and believes they are an efficient measure.

He said: “Double yellow line and other restrictions are in place at locations to try to improve their safety and/or the free flow of traffic,

“If people only parked in places that are allocated for storage of vehicles, there would not be a need to issue PCNs.”

Cllr Hadley also pointed at the use the council have for the money received through PCN revenue. He said: “The income from PCNs is mostly used to cover the costs of running the team.”

BCP Council provides information on its website about bus lane PCNs in its ‘parking restrictions’ section. It states that under the Transport Act 2000, a PCN will be issued to drivers who ‘use a bus lane’ when on the road. The maximum fine is £60 but this can be reduced if paid within 14 days.

More information can be found at: https://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/Parking/ParkingRestrictions/TrafficManagementAct2004.aspx