Bus priority gate will include camera enforcement

Motorists will soon face getting a fine if they drive along a bus priority lane near the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

Swansea Council is urging motorists not to use the restricted bus lane after confirming that a fixed camera will now monitor the bus gate at the Neath Road/Normandy Road roundabout.

The camera will be installed in March and once commissioned will pick up any unauthorised vehicles that travel through the gate.

The council carried out a trial of the camera in August 2015 over a 30-day period. During that time more than 1,800 cars used the bus gate – the owners of which were all sent warning notices, informing them they were not authorised to use the priority route.

Cllr David Hopkins, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: “Like all bus priority routes, they should only be used by authorised vehicles.

“The gate is there to provide priority access for public transport and not to be used as a shortcut for motorists.

“Local residents have contacted us to complain that the gate is continually being abused.

“We carried out a trial and have advised quite a few motorists that they are not permitted to use it. Hopefully this will deter them from using it once the camera becomes active.”

A further two-week period of warning motorists will take place once the new camera is commissioned. Following that, vehicles will be issued with a £70 penalty charge if they travel through it.