Bristol City Council won't issue fines over M32 bus-only metrobus bridge - under certain conditions
The council has decided to review the design and fining policy but no refunds will be offered for people who have already paid
Kate WilsonPolitical Editor
Motorists who take the wrong junction off the M32 onto a bus-only slip road but then turn around back onto the motorway could avoid a costly fine.
The slip road was created for the metrobus service and links the M32 with Stoke Lane and provides a shortcut from the motorway to the University of the West of England campus.
It is not meant to be used by motorists - or even other bus companies - but its "confusing" and "inadequate" road layout has led to thousands of people being issued with fines since it opened in May last year.
Nearly 10,000 people were caught in the first 100 days after the enforcement cameras were switched on and of those approximately 6,000 have paid their fines to Bristol City Council - equating to £186,485.
But now drivers have successfully challenged their tickets saying the design of the junction effectively forced them into a controlled zone, and a fine.
The metrobus sliproad and bridge over the M32
One of the key concerns among motorists is the absence of clearly-visible red paint, which is synonymous with bus lanes in England, and why drivers who wrongly use the slip-road are invited to return to the M32 via a roundabout - without being told the roundabout falls within a bus lane.
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Both of these issues were explored in detail at a Traffic Penalty Tribunal in October, brought by 56-year-old Keith Stevenson, who was issued with a fine after mistakenly using the slip-road in June last year.
The tribunal adjudicator, who sided with Keith, described the current road layout and signage - including the lack of red painted tarmac - as "inadequate".
As a result the council said it would review the design and is now offering a warning notice for first-time offenders who spot the error of their ways.
A sign indicating the bus-only slip road on the M32 (Image: BristolLive)
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "We have taken on board the comments made by the adjudicator and have adjusted how we enforce the regulations covering this part of the road.
"In cases where a driver comes off the motorway into the slip road and then rejoins the motorway southbound, we are treating this as an error and using our discretion to issue a warning notice for the first offence, rather than a fine.
"However if drivers subsequently repeat this movement, or if they come off the motorway and continue onto Stoke Lane, they will receive a penalty charge notice.
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Bristol City Council has also said that it is not retrospectively reviewing any previous fines that have already been issued, but said drivers are free to appeal their case.
Motorists caught driving in metrobus-only lanes will be issued with a £60 fine - which is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
All proceeds raised from the metrobus bridge fines are used to cover the cost of enforcement, with any surplus funds reinvested in transport initiatives such as concessionary bus fares and filling potholes.
M32 motorway
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