Frustrated drivers are breaking one-way street rules to try and avoid Preston city centre driving fines.
AdvertisementPictures taken by one motorist show how Charnley Street, which is one way, is being used as a cut through to get into Corporation Street.
Alan Abrahams was in the city centre on Monday (19 December) when he saw the manoeuvres.
Drivers are turning right into Fox Street, cutting down St Wilfrid Street and then breaking the no entry rule in Charnley Street by turning right.
Mr Abrahams is a member of a Facebook group set up by those who have been caught out by the new Fishergate rules – which came into operation on Monday 31 October.
Lancashire County Council has made two sections of Fishergate into bus lanes which are enforced with traffic cameras from 11am to 6pm each day.
The group has seen drivers posting about appealing their fines – although none have been successful on appeal so far, with the county council defending its signage. A Cardinal Newman college student had her fines waived after not receiving a warning letter during the two week grace period.
Read more: Human traffic controls are back in Fishergate
Mr Abram has written to his MP, Fylde’s Mark Menzies, who took up Mr Abram’s case with the county council.
Mr Menzies received a response from the county council outlining how they have promoted the new traffic measures and stand-by not allowing a ‘three strikes and you’re fined’ rule.
In a letter, seen by Blog Preston, the county council states: “The bus lane restriction has been put in place on Fishergate on the run up to Christmas to manage the high level of additional traffic coming into the city centre.
“Last year motorists experienced delays of up to four hours on exiting car parks due to congestion. The restrictions this year have been successful in eradicating this.
“The signs of the restriction are correct and fully comply with current legislation and best practice as outlined in the Department of Transports Traffic Manual.
“I find that the county council has done everything reasonable and more to alert all motorists to the restrictions in place and the duty rests with the motorist to observe and adhere to the traffic signs in place.”
Read more: This map of Preston city centre could save you £60
What do you think of the Fishergate layout? Let us know in the comments below