Fines for motorists driving in Portsmouth bus lanes bring in more than £2,500 a month

Data obtained through freedom of information requests showed between June 2017 and December 2018 a total of 1,757 fines were issued after non-authorised vehicles used bus lanes in Portsmouth, totalling £50,362.

The figures, which were compiled by Northgate Vehicle Hire, also showed in that time 118 appeals were placed against the fines, 46 of which were successful.

Transport boss for the council, Councillor Lynne Stagg, said: 'I have to agree with the principle of fining people.

'The whole point of it is allowing the quick and easy movement of buses as we want to get more people out of cars and on to public transport. That goes out the window if people start driving private cars in them.

'Any money from fines has to go into the transport budget almost always linked to safety issues like traffic calming measures.'

Across the UK councils raked in more than £35m from bus lane fines, with Manchester City Council topping the list at £1,037,764 in that same period.

Of the 36 local authorities that provided information on the fines (some councils do not have bus lanes or hold the data) Portsmouth received the 21st highest amount for the charges.

And 39 per cent of appeals in Portsmouth were successful, higher than the average of 36 per cent.

Cllr Stagg added: 'I have heard of people getting fined because they were moving out of the way of ambulances and police cars. In those circumstances their fines will be cancelled.'

Bus lanes in Portsmouth can be used by buses, taxis, bicycles and emergency vehicles.

Fines for wrongly driving in bus lanes in the city cost £60 a time, or £30 if paid within 14 days.

A council spokesman said: 'We installed cameras on bus lanes across the city in October 2015 - drivers who illegally use the lanes will risk being caught on camera.'

Police also have the power to prosecute for driving in bus lanes.

Fines in Southampton between June 2017 and December 2018 brought in £39,431.