Just one in six have claimed back Fishergate bus lane fines

Only one in six motorists caught in Preston's bus lane 'trap' have so far claimed their money back.
Fishergate, PrestonFishergate, Preston
Fishergate, Preston

Around 4,000 drivers have applied to have their tickets refunded after the scheme was officially declared unfair.

And the remaining 24,000, who were caught on camera using the Fishergate lane over a four-month period, have been warned they have just two-and-a-half weeks left to apply before repayments stop.

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The refunds were announced earlier this month after a Traffic Penalty Tribunal ruled the bus lane warning signs were inadequate.

TPT adjudicator Stephen Knapp heard five test case appeals against the tickets from motorists who claimed signs were not sufficient to warn them they were driving into a restricted zone. Mr Knapp agreed and branded the scheme unfair.

The AA immediately urged Lancashire County Council to “do the honourable thing” and pay back the estimated £900,000 to £1.8m it had collected in fines. County Hall bosses said they would refund the tickets “as a gesture of goodwill” and switched off the cameras for traffic travelling down Fishergate towards the railway station. But the “no right turn” signs at the top of Butler Street are still in operation.

Daniel Herbert, LCC highway network manager said: “People have until 13 April to apply for a refund for their first PCN. We’re currently processing all of the requests that have come in with a view to refunding the money as soon as we can.”