Bus lane becomes new fines hotspot

A BUS lane where fines have rocketed since the closure of the Gateshead Flyover has become the town’s penalty hotspot.

- By DANIEL HOLLAND

There was a huge spike in the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) being issued to drivers contravening the High West Street bus gate restrictions in Gateshead town centre, after the nearby A167 flyover was shut last December due to concerns it was at risk of collapse.

Gateshead Council faced calls earlier this month to make the bus lane more obvious for motorists, with more people who are unfamiliar with the town centre's roads now using the route due to the flyover closure.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can now reveal the High West Street bus gate generated more PCNs, and more income for the council, in 2024/25 than the bus lanes on Askew Road and South Shore Road. Askew Road in particular has proved hugely controversial since its camera was activated in 2020 and at one time more than 150 motorists on average were being fined there every day.