Driver fined £2,000 for using bus lane
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Your support makes all the difference.A driver has landed fines of more than £2,000 after being caught 35 times illegally using a temporary bus lane in Bournemouth.
The mystery motorist is one of hundreds of drivers caught on camera using King's Park in Bournemouth as a through route while the nearby Ashley Road bridge is being replaced.
Bournemouth Council has so far issued 3,557 £60 penalty charge notices (PCNs) worth a potential £213,420, although the fine is halved if paid straight away.
The park route is for buses and pedal cycles only until work on the bridge finishes at the end of next week.
But drivers have complained that the route is not clearly signposted and that it is a money-making scam.
Tony Williams, executive director for environment and economy at the council, said: "The route through the park is strictly a bus and cycle route only.
"It is with regret that motorists are regularly choosing to ignore the clear signage and restrictions at King's Park and are therefore continuing to receive penalty charge notices (PCNs).
"In the worst case 35 tickets have been issued for one vehicle, despite every effort in warning and advising the motorist on a number of occasions.
"We certainly do not wish to issue PCNs to drivers and would much rather they follow the clearly signposted diversionary routes.
"We have ensured that clear signage has been placed during the diversion, in compliance with the Highway Code. I would strongly urge drivers not to take the risk of driving through the bus and cycle only route through King's Park."
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