In total, the city’s nineteen bus gates have raised more than four point seven million pounds since the beginning of last year, making them a significant source of income for the council.
00:01In Bristol, a traffic enforcement measure is stirring major controversy.
00:06Over the past 15 months, more than 67,000 penalty notices have been issued to drivers using the bus-only gate on Cumberland Road.
00:16That amounts to around 146 fines every day, bringing in over £2.5 million in revenue during that period.
00:26It's more than four times the amount generated by the city's next most lucrative gate on Baldwin Street, which collected around £477,000.
00:39In total, the city's 19 bus gates have raised more than £4.7 million since the beginning of last year, making them a significant source of income for the City Council.
00:51The Cumberland Road gate is reserved for buses, taxis, cyclists and motorbikes, but drivers say it is easy to miss the signs and to blame sat-navs for guiding them through accidentally.
01:04Each offence carries a penalty of £35. So far, only 128 drivers have challenged their fines.
01:13The City Council maintains that the signage is clear and compliant and that the bus gates help to reduce congestion and pollution.
01:20They also say that they try to show leniency if drivers rack up multiple fines before receiving their first warning.
01:27But critics argue that signage may not meet legal standards, with some calling the gate unlawful or misleading.
01:35As the debate grows, many Bristol residents are asking whether the balance is right between managing traffic and punishing drivers.
