Drivers who received a fine for using the new Fishergate bus lane could receive a reprieve.

A hearing begins today in Preston as traffic inspector assess whether a number of appeals are valid against the traffic measures in the city centre.

Lancashire County Council made a section of Fishergate a restricted bus lane (between 11am and 6pm) in late October last year.

Since then tens of thousands of motorists have been issued with a £60 fine for breaking the rule.

However, many have appealed their fines saying the signage is not adequate so they unknowingly drove down the bus lane.

Read more: Now Cannon Street’s getting the Fishergate look

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal Hearing takes place at the Legacy International Hotel in Marsh Lane during today (Wednesday 22 February) and will hear six test cases.

A spokeswoman for the Traffic Tribunal said: “A decision will be issued in approximately fortnight’s time. The adjudicator has a lot of evidence to look through before they come to a decision.”

One motorists who has been appealing said signage has only recently been improved.

He said: “How can you (Lancashire County Council) just ignore genuine confusion caused by your badly signed junction? The signs may originally have met the minimum requirements, but in a real world situation at a confusing junction you need more than the bare minimum unless it was, as many suspect, nothing more than a deliberate act to catch out unsuspecting motorists and thereby generate some desperately needed revenue.”

Read more: College student has Fishergate fine waived

The new traffic layout was put in by the county council in response to city centre congestion, primarily during peak shopping periods, and as part of the £3.4million shared space.

On New Year’s Eve the county council announced it was scrapping the bus lane, before u-turning a few days later, saying the ‘trial period’ would be extended until April.

A second bus lane, in Tithebarn Street, has been put on hold after it was announced and met with a fierce backlash from traders and motorists.

What do you think about the tribunal? Have you appealed the fine? Let us know in the comments below