Rethink call on Preston's Fishergate bus lane cameras

A city centre councillor has called on County Hall bosses to give the public another say over the controversial Fishergate bus lane cameras.
Fishergate's controversial bus laneFishergate's controversial bus lane
Fishergate's controversial bus lane

Coun Yousuf Motala, who represents Preston City on the county council, claims businesses and the public missed the boat when the scheme was “sneaked in” 
under the radar last autumn.

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Despite LCC making the bus lanes permanent in 
October, Coun Motala (inset) claimed the consultation was inadequate, leaving many unaware the cameras were now a permanent fixture.

Fishergate's controversial bus laneFishergate's controversial bus lane
Fishergate's controversial bus lane

“If there has been any consultation then most people, including me, missed it,” he said.

“It was sneaked in at the same time the two-way experiment for Lune Street was announced.

“While everyone was talking about that, the cameras going permanent was slipped through.

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“Many people and businesses I have spoken to in the city centre didn’t know they had gone permanent. So I’m now calling on the council to look at it again and re-open the consultation period.”

Council papers show the permanent switch-on of the cameras was agreed by the LCC cabinet on September 14 and approved by full council on October 26. Coun Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Councillor Motala was made aware of the permanent order for the bus lane before it was introduced.

“He met with senior managers from the highways team where it was discussed.

“A report went to the Cabinet back in September, which is available on our website, and this clearly states that he was consulted.”

The Fishergate bus lane cameras were switched back on last year.