Bus lane fines generate £2.1m across region
LDRSMillions of pounds have been raised in bus lane fines across the north-east of England.
Seven local authorities generated at least £2.1m through issuing the fines from January to December.
The largest benefactors, according to figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests, were Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland councils, with a combined total of 63,154 fines issued across the three authorities.
Newcastle City Council has raised the most in bus lanes fines, totalling more than £760,000 via 26,826 fines across the year.
A council spokesperson said it was due to the local authority area being a "major centre for employment and retail".
It said any surplus income generated from its penalty charge notices (PCNs) is used "to make further improvements to public transport, highways and the environment".
"If a motorist receives a PCN for driving in a bus lane then they do have the right to appeal," the spokesperson added.
The breakdown per local authority area is as follows, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
- Newcastle City Council: £760,749 via 26,826 fines
- Gateshead Council: £690,710 via 24,363 fines
- Sunderland City Council: £382,083.02 via 11,965 fines
- Durham County Council: £160,562 via 4,124 fines
- South Tyneside Council: £103,440 via 6,040 fines
- Northumberland County Council: £55,255 via 2,926 fines
- North Tyneside: 3,102 fines (no financial figure provided)
'Have to be fair'
According to North Tyneside Council's FOI, the local authority's software system does not distinguish between parking or bus lane "contraventions" and the request would include some PCNs paid prior to the requested time frame.
The council's FOI response went on to state that in order to provide the cash generated specifically by bus lane fines it would require each case to be manually accessed - an effort that exempts the council from complying with the Freedom of Information Act in this instance.
A spokesperson for Gateshead Council said its bus lanes form "one part of a wider strategy to create an improved transport network".
"Over 30% of people in Newcastle and Gateshead do not have access to a car or van and we have to be fair to everybody," they added.
In April, an increase in fines was issued for the High West Street bus lane in Gateshead between April 2024 and 31 March, with 10,241 PCNs compared with 6,708 from the previous year.
The A167 Gateshead flyover was also shut down in December 2024 following an inspection.
Sunderland City Council's cabinet member for environment, transport and net zero, councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "Any income from traffic enforcement can only be used to support further investment in highways, public transport and environmental improvements, in line with national regulations."
She said an appeals process was in place if people believed a notice had been issued incorrectly.
