Sunderland City Council plan for bus lane enforcement in Spring 2022

Motorists who use designated bus lanes could face penalties of £60 as Sunderland City Council looks at new traffic enforcement powers.

A decision on taking up the powers is due at next week’s meeting of the City Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 7 December. Subject to further consultation with the Secretary of State, the police and legal processes, the City Council could begin enforcement by spring 2022.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Claire Rowntree said:

"There are very strong feelings about drivers and highways users who do not follow the Highway Code and who fail to drive with due care and attention.

"These enforcement powers are important as they will go towards helping improve the punctuality of bus services, influence and promote the carbon reducing benefits of public transport, and ensure that more highways users do follow and obey the rules and regulations that are necessary when we are out on the highways."

It is expected that contraventions leading to a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) would be on the basis of a record produced by a CCTV camera (an approved device). The registered keeper of a vehicle would receive notice of a contravention by letter.

The PCNs would not cover speeding offences monitored by cameras which remain with Northumbria Police and the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative (NSRI).

The council is already an approved authority for bus lane enforcement but needs to take further actions, including consultation with Northumbria Police and the Secretary of State, before it can issue £60 PCNs.

"Many benefits to be gained."

Cllr Rowntree added:

"There are many benefits to be gained from taking up these powers as the public gains a better understanding of who has overall responsibility for enforcement and the police can concentrate on other matters.

"Targeted enforcement in bus lanes can go towards helping improve bus punctuality and journey times making buses more attractive choices for members of the public."

At its meeting last month, Cabinet agreed that the City Council should, also further to more Government approvals and consultation, look to adopt legal powers on enforcing ‘moving traffic contraventions’.

This would cover traffic offences such as banned turns, contraventions in box junctions and driving in cycle lanes. The new traffic powers are part of a wider nationwide shift away from police enforcement that is being prepared by the Government.