Further cameras have been introduced in Medway bus lanes to catch rule-flouting motorists.

Medway Council has now rolled out automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at an extra three bus lanes, in a bid to improve public transport reliability.

The locations include A2 Corporation Street, Rochester; westbound of the High Street, Chatham (between Union Street and Upbury Way); and the A2 Chatham Hill (both directions).

The existing restrictions, which prohibit general traffic from using the bus lanes, have been in place for more than a decade but were not enforced via ANPR cameras.

Buses, taxis and bicycles are permitted to go through the bus lanes, as well as emergency service vehicles.

Just three sites were covered by camera enforcement previously, these being located in Canal Road, Strood, and in Globe Lane and Waterfront Way, both in Chatham.

The latest wave of bus lane cameras went live on 15 August.

Offending motorists will receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) worth £60, which increases to £90 if payment is not made within 28 days.

However, the fee drops to £30 if the PCN is paid within 14 days.

Commenting on the new cameras, Cllr Alex Paterson, portfolio holder for highways, community safety and enforcement, said they form a key part of the council’s vision for a “modern, sustainable, reliable and accessible public transport network” in Medway.

He said: “The use of public transport helps to tackle both congestion and climate change – and it’s something we want to encourage people to use.

“Part of this work means we need to do what we can to enable buses to move freely and efficiently throughout Medway.

“By enforcing the bus lanes at these locations through the use of ANPR, as we do at other locations, we can make them more effective,” he said, adding, “whilst also bringing a consistent approach to how this is enforced in Medway.”

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