Motorists caught out by Preston's Fishergate bus lane can appeal their fines
It's after an independent tribunal ruled the bus lane as "inadequate"
Lancashire County Council has confirmed that the Fishergate Bus Lane will remain in place.
It's after an independent tribunal ruled yesterday that the bus lane in Preston City Centre is "inadequate" and the signs aren't clear enough.
More than 28,500 people have been fined for using the bus lane since the bus lane was brought in to ease traffic congestion in the city centre in November last year.
Six motorists successfully appealed their fines at the tribunal - that has led to calls from the AA and the Preston MP Mark Hendrick - who himself has been caught out by the scheme - for refunds to be given to all the motorists who have been fined for using the bus lane.
Lancashire County Council has now released a statement - they say as a "a gesture of goodwill", they will review the case of anyone who contacts it in writing, for first-time cases made on the basis of inadequate signing, with a view to issuing refunds where appropriate.
This would need to be before 13 April.
The independent adjudicator found that the measures were legal and in accordance with the guidelines, however he suggested changes to the signing that he described as inadequate.
The bus lane, between Mount Street and Corporation St, will remain in operation from 11am to 6pm every day.
While the restrictions remain in place, Lancashire County Council say no camera enforcement will be carried out until they've reviewed the experimental scheme as planned in April, taking into account the findings of the adjudicator, and all other comments made during the consultation process.
County Councillor John Fillis, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The quickest way to contact us is through our website, stating the circumstance in which people received the penalty. If that is in keeping with the adjudicator's decision, based on the signing, then we will give people their money back.
"These measures will stay in place while we review consultation responses and look into measures such as extra signing, following the adjudicator's findings. We won't use cameras to enforce this bus lane while we review it and look into options.
"This means that unauthorised vehicles are still restricted from using this section between 11am and 6pm. And we ask people to respect this.
"Our aim was always to improve the traffic flow. We didn't want to issue any Penalty Charge Notices, but they're an important way to enforce these changes.
"We're clear that these changes have significantly improved the city centre in many ways. Fishergate has become a more pleasant place for pedestrians and it has helped to reduce traffic building up in parts of the city centre at the busiest times. Bus operators have told us that they're very happy with these changes.
"This has also helped air quality, thanks to a reduction in queuing vehicles.
"There has been a reported increase in footfall, and we've seen new shops and businesses coming into the city centre."