18,000 drivers had illegal fines

JohnDotCom · 18th September 2009, 18:13

18,000 drivers had illegal fines

The council's cameras were not certified until May 2007

More than 18,000 fines handed to motorists caught driving in bus lanes in Manchester were illegal, the local authority has admitted. The drivers were all caught out by cameras between October 2006 and May 2007 - before they were approved for use in bus lanes.
Manchester City Council believed the cameras could be retrospectively certified - but lawyers ruled it out.
It could now face a payout of more than £544,000 to drivers who were caught.
All bus lane cameras in the city have had Department for Transport approval since 24 December 2008.
Administrative error
The uncertified cameras came to light during a review of its bus lane enforcement.
Vicky Rosin, assistant chief executive, said the "deeply regrettable administrative oversight" took place in the early stages of bus lane enforcement.
"We have taken steps to notify the public as soon as this technicality came to our attention. We apologise for this mix-up," said Ms Rosin.
People who think they have been issued with a penalty charge notice by one of the cameras during the relevant period has been advised to contact the council.
"We will look at each ticket on a case by case basis," she added.
"However, we want to remind people that all of our current bus lane enforcement cameras have full approval and we remain determined to ensure that bus lanes stay free-flowing for the benefit of public transport users and to help prevent congestion."

Raistlin · 18th September 2009, 18:55

One wonders what sort of a donkey assumes retrospective certification would be acceptable in the first place.

Or maybe it was a case of "screw the cash cow" again.

Departed · 19th September 2009, 12:19

Though it has to be asked, why were so many driving in the bus lane? The drivers were quite happy to break the rules.

18th September 2009, 18:13	#1
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	18,000 drivers had illegal fines 18,000 drivers had illegal fines The council's cameras were not certified until May 2007 More than 18,000 fines handed to motorists caught driving in bus lanes in Manchester were illegal, the local authority has admitted. The drivers were all caught out by cameras between October 2006 and May 2007 - before they were approved for use in bus lanes. Manchester City Council believed the cameras could be retrospectively certified - but lawyers ruled it out. It could now face a payout of more than £544,000 to drivers who were caught. All bus lane cameras in the city have had Department for Transport approval since 24 December 2008. Administrative error The uncertified cameras came to light during a review of its bus lane enforcement. Vicky Rosin, assistant chief executive, said the "deeply regrettable administrative oversight" took place in the early stages of bus lane enforcement. "We have taken steps to notify the public as soon as this technicality came to our attention. We apologise for this mix-up," said Ms Rosin. People who think they have been issued with a penalty charge notice by one of the cameras during the relevant period has been advised to contact the council. "We will look at each ticket on a case by case basis," she added. "However, we want to remind people that all of our current bus lane enforcement cameras have full approval and we remain determined to ensure that bus lanes stay free-flowing for the benefit of public transport users and to help prevent congestion."

18th September 2009, 18:55	#2
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	One wonders what sort of a donkey assumes retrospective certification would be acceptable in the first place. Or maybe it was a case of "screw the cash cow" again.

19th September 2009, 12:19	#3
Departed Retired -- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: -- Posts: 3,785 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Though it has to be asked, why were so many driving in the bus lane? The drivers were quite happy to break the rules.