This is when Fishergate bus lane cameras might be back on

Highways workers in hi-vis jackets direct traffic in Fishergate Pic: Paul Melling

When the Fishergate bus lane cameras could be switched back on has been revealed.

Lancashire County Council says it is aiming to get the cameras back on from Monday 6 November.

It is tied in with create a two-way Lune Street with a new junction onto Ringway – which the county council says it wants to trial for six months.

The bus lane cameras were turned off following six appeals being granted by an independent inspector because the county council had not introduced adequate signage.

Before this thousands of motorists had been caught breaching the bus lane rule of no access to cars from 11am to 6pm.

Cabinet member for highways and transport county councillor Keith Iddon said: “If our cabinet agrees these changes, we’ll be switching the cameras back on along Fishergate, as well as carrying out advertising and promotion to make people more aware of the bus lanes.

“I gave a commitment that we wouldn’t reintroduce the bus lane enforcement until we could make Lune Street two-way. It’s important to us that we can maximise the benefits of these changes, while reducing the impact on people leaving the city centre.

“We don’t want anyone to get caught out by these cameras. We’re happy if we don’t make a penny from them, as it means that people are doing the right thing.

“There has been a significant increase in the number of drivers ignoring these restrictions since we suspended the camera enforcement, which shows that we need additional measures in place.

“We know that shoppers using the shopping centre car park and through Avenham were particularly affected by these bus lanes. We’ve looked in detail at various measures to reduce some of the issues that we identified during the trial period and improve the overall experience in the city centre for drivers and pedestrians.”

At present St George's drivers are funnelled out via Fishergate and through Avenham PIc: Google — At present St George’s drivers are funnelled out via Fishergate and through Avenham in Lune Street Pic: Google

The two bus lanes are between Mount Street and Corporation Street in Fishergate and between the junction with Butler Street and Corporation Street.

If the proposals are agreed, four large new signs would be added on Fishergate itself, as well as Fox Street, Lune Street and Chapel Street. A sign will also be added at the top of Butler Street.

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