DRIVERS will finally face fines for illegally using a bus gate in Colchester...up to a decade after it was installed.

Cars have been banned from driving down the northbound section of Maldon Road, from its junction with Beaconsfield Avenue towards Southway, for years.

However, Essex County Council has now installed new signs and road markings meaning drivers caught flouting the rules will face an automatic £60 fine.

Maldon Road is the latest bus gate to received the enforcement action in the town, with council chiefs introducing several similar schemes since 2017.

Last year, the Gazette revealed County Hall had raked in more than £400,000 in fines from 18,000 drivers who illegally used the bus gate in Station Road, Hythe.

Between May and December 2018, the council also brought in £140,000 in fines from 5,000 plus drivers who had illegally used the bus gate in Nayland Road, Colchester.

A spokesman for County Hall said: “Up until spring 2017, we largely relied on a combination of voluntary driver compliance and police enforcement to dissuade drivers from contravening the bus lanes or bus gates.

“As the county’s population and economy grows, we see the level of infringements increasing which can affect bus punctuality and lead to less reliable journey times.

“Increased enforcement is designed to change the behaviour of those drivers who choose to use bus lanes and bus gates illegally, keeping them available for their intended use.

“It also helps to maintain safer routes for pedestrians.”

Essex County Council says money raised through the Penalty Charge Notices is ring fenced for public transport, road and transport improvements.

Ward councillor Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem, New Town) said the changes to the road meant drivers no longer had any excuse.

She said: “It is pretty obvious now it is a bus lane so it should make the crossing there safer. With my cyclist hat on, the road is much better for riders now.”

Bus gate rules in Maldon Road are in operation 24-hour a day and apply to all vehicles except buses, motorbikes, cyclists and taxis.

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