More cameras could be used to catch motorists abusing bus lanes in Norwich

Members of Norwich City Council's highways committee (NHAC) are to look at the possibility of enhanced enforcement measures around bus lanes, after success elsewhere.

A report to be presented to the committee claims since the introduction of cameras on St Stephens Street and Rampant Horse Street, there has been a 90pc reduction in unauthorised traffic on the former, and an 80pc reduction on the latter.

The most recent, on Albion Way, has seen a 70pc reduction there.

With bus priority measures in place on several locations across the city, the committee is now looking at the possibility of using cameras on other bus lanes in future.

Camera enforcement is already planned for Brazen Gate, which is likely to be operational in coming weeks.

Earlham Green Lane, Bowthorpe, is also proposed for enforcement, though the council could also look at several other areas in future.

In the longer term, the council could use cameras at:

• Agricultural Hall Plain

• Dereham Road

• Castle Meadow

• Catton Grove Road/Angel Road

• Earlham Road Grapes Hill

• Humbleyard

• Newmarket Road

• Rose Lane

• Upper King Street

A Norwich City Council spokesman said: 'Camera enforcement of bus lanes has been used successfully in three locations and we're now looking at applying this on a wider scale.

'NHAC will consider the approach and, if approved, the city council will have the necessary powers to advertise traffic regulation orders for camera enforcement in appropriate locations as needed in the future.'

The proposal was welcomed by Chris Speed, head of operations at First Eastern Counties.

He said: 'As a business providing a service that can be the answer to reducing congestion and improving air quality in the city, we need to make bus travel more attractive and bus priority can play an important role in delivering this.'

In the past two years, drivers paid more than £800,000 in fines for using roads where traffic has been banned.