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Driver's anger at fine over 'confusing' bus lane

Samantha Noble
BBC News, Derby
BBC Keith Baker stood outside in front of a white road sign which has a roundabout symbol on. The left turn says "other traffic", the straight on direction has a blue circle with a bus and bike symbol and the word "taxi" with 7am - 7pm written underneath, and to the right is a P for parking symbol. BBC
Keith Baker said the signage was unclear for anyone not familiar with the city's roads

A man landed with a fine for accidentally using a bus lane in Derby says the incident has put him off driving to the city again.

Almost 100,000 fines have been issued since restrictions were introduced in 2021 banning cars - except taxis - from Corporation Street during the day, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, netting Derby City Council more than £3m.

But Keith Baker, who lives in Nottinghamshire, believes warning signs on the approach to the stretch are not clear enough.

Carmel Swan, Derby City Council's cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said the signage "goes above and beyond what is necessary to meet the regulatory requirements".

Corporation Street with the council house on the right. A sign highlights that only buses, bicycles and taxis can use the road between 07:00 and 19:00.
Aside from taxis, cars can not drive down Corporation Street - in front of the council house - between 07:00 and 19:00

Mr Baker told the BBC the penalty notice was for £70 - reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

"I opened the letter and I was flummoxed," he said.

"I remember going into [Corporation Street], but thinking I am not going in the bus lane - I'll stick to the side of it.

"I didn't realise anything going through there was the bus lane."

A head and shoulders shot of Keith Baker stood outside. He is smiling, has grey hair and wearing a coat. Behind him is the wall of a building and a white gate.
Mr Baker said the number of drivers receiving fines showed the signage was confusing

Mr Baker said after doing some research he found tens of thousands of people had been penalised in the same way.

"I just could not believe how many people had been caught... it's really frustrating because it's made me think about ever coming into Derby again.

"I'm pretty cross about the whole thing."

The 66-year-old, who had been giving his mother a lift, claimed it was "opportunism" from the council.

"If my mum wants to go in, I will still take her in but for me personally, I probably won't," he said.

Mr Baker, from Newthorpe, said signage warning drivers about the bus lane needed to be more explicit - particularly for anyone not familiar with the city's roads.

"If they want people to come to the high street, to draw people into city centre, they have to make it easier," added Mr Baker, who said he would pay the fine but still believes it is wrong.

A blue circular road sign with a white bus on, a white bicycle, and the word "taxi". Underneath there is a small white sign which says "7am - 7pm", and an image of a camera.
The council said the bus lane is in place as part of a move to reduce carbon emissions

Swan said signage in the area was due to be updated to reflect the closure of the Assembly Rooms car park but no further changes were planned.

"The new signs will be the same size and design, but without the reference to the car park," she said.

"As an administration, we're committed to reducing our carbon emissions, creating a safe environment for communities to move around.

"The bus lane is there for this very reason."

Supplied A photograph of Corporation Street - a bus is parked on the left. It is a wide road - on the left and right sides of the road are bus stops - indicated by yellow lines and wordingSupplied
Mr Baker was sent this photograph on the letter to say he had driven in a bus lane

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