£70 fine warning as new traffic restrictions come into force in Coventry city centre

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Changes to city centre traffic set to be approved



Plans for a new red route and bus gate in Coventry could be approved this week.

Only buses and taxis would be able to use the route to and from the centre via Greyfriars and Warwick roads, if the go-ahead is given.

Drivers would not be allowed to stop on some busy roads as part of plans that city council officers have recommended for approval on Friday.

The authority claimed its proposals would help cut congestion and improve the flow of traffic in the centre.

Most people surveyed last year by the council supported a red route, the authority added.

But its report showed business owners raised critical comments and concerns after plans were formally published in August.

In one case, the owner of the McDonald's at Cross Cheaping by the Burges objected to the planned red route and removal of bus stops on the road.

A new bus gate, affecting when cars can use the roads at Trinity Street and the Burges, was installed by the council last year.

"With red routes making it impossible to access for deliveries and then no bus transport, I fear the street will become a ghost town and could impact the 100 employees I currently employ at this store," the proprietor said.

The council clarified there were no plans to restrict buses on the road and said the same number of buses would pass by the shops.

It claimed relocating bus stops would still be "accommodated within" the Burges and Cross Cheaping.

Some people were opposed to the planned new bus gate at Greyfriars Road, which would only allow buses, taxis and pedal cycles to use the street past its junction with Warwick Road.

A council report explained it was part of wider plans to move traffic from the city's inner roads and on to the outer ring road.

Officers recommended approval but added they would need to ensure they work closely with businesses.

Work would start to introduce the changes in early January if approval was given, according to the report.

The council's cabinet member for city services, Patricia Hetherton, will have the final say on Friday.

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Drivers fork out more than £4m on bus lane fines in Coventry



Drivers have forked out more than £4m in fines for using bus lanes in Coventry. Nearly 180,000 PCNs have been issued in the city over a five-year period.

Data obtained by Breakwells Transport revealed the top city roads where people were slapped with PCNs over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024. Thousands were penalised for aunauthorised bus lane use, with a staggering 178,668 fines issued.

Hales Street at the junction with the Burges came out on top with 54,824 PCNs issued. Figures revealed that the city centre bus gate has generated more than £1.2m since being introduced in July 2023.

It was followed by Hales Street (Whittle Arch), which saw more than 51,000 fines issued. Next was Warwick Road, with more than 39,000 fines handed out over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.

Other city roads where people have been caught out by bus lanes were Gosford Street, Tile Hill Lane, Sky Blue Way, and Stoney Stanton Road, with a combined 32,807 PCNs issued. Coventry City Council told CoventryLive that they introduced bus gates in the city to 'improve road safety.'

A spokesman for Breakwells Transport said: “Signage can be unclear and provide a range of information, so understandably, some drivers are caught out unknowingly. We urge drivers to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with the routes they will be taking.”

In a statement to CoventryLive, Coventry City Council said: “Bus lane enforcement cameras are commonplace in many towns and cities across the UK. Coventry introduced bus lane camera enforcement in 2011, and there are currently six bus gates in the city where enforcement cameras are operational. Access to these locations is restricted to buses, taxis, and other authorised vehicles.

“Hales Street/Burges bus gate was installed in July 2023 to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Coventry. It also helps reduce bus journey times and improve the reliability of bus services.

“Bus gates are used in Coventry to help improve road safety for all road users as well as to help create spaces that are safer and more enjoyable for local people and visitors. Drivers who receive a fine for using the bus gates can choose to appeal to an independent adjudication service.”

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Coventry City Council told CoventryLive that they introduced bus gates in the city to 'improve road safety.'

Yeah, right!

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Coventry City Council rakes in around £2m in bus gate fines



Coventry City Council raked in an estimated £2million in bus gate fines last year. Just under 55,000 motorists received a letter in the post telling them they had driven through one of the city's fives dedicated gates - resulting in a fine of at least £35.

According to information issued as part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, bus gates involved are Hales Street (Whittle Arch), Hales Street junction with Burges, Gosford Street, Tile Hill Lane, and Stoney Road. A further 1,420 were also fined for driving in the city's only active bus lane on Sky Blue Way.

The council's website states there are a two further active bus gates, on Sky Blue Way and Warwick Road, though these locations were not mentioned in the FOI. Coventry City Council states on its website: "We operate a bus lane enforcement scheme to improve public transport reliability, journey times and to encourage sustainable travel.

"Bus lane signs and markings clearly indicate both the start and end of bus lanes and highlight the hours of operation. If there are no times indicated, then the bus lane is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

It also states: "The enforcement of bus lanes is carried out by Fixed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras which record all vehicles using the bus lanes.

"After identifying those vehicles that are not allowed to use the bus lanes an evidence pack is assembled and a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued by post from Coventry City Council to the registered owner/hirer of the vehicle in contravention of the regulations.

"For a bus lane contravention the charge is £70, reduced by 50% to £35 if paid within 21 days of the Date of Service. If the PCN remains unpaid within 28 days this charge is increased to £105."