Key Highlights
- A 73-year-old man was fined for driving in a bus lane on Thornton Road that recently shifted to 24-hour coverage.
- The council claims the new restrictions were communicated through blue signs but the driver feels they were not properly informed.
- Council spokespersons argue that the bus lanes are now operational 24/7 and residents can appeal if they feel incorrectly fined.
Anger Over New Bus Lane Restrictions in Bradford
In a recent incident, Brian Powell, a 73-year-old resident of Bradford, expressed his frustration over the enforcement of a new bus lane that operates 24 hours a day. The incident highlights the challenges faced by local councils and drivers alike as they adapt to changing traffic regulations.
The Incident
Brian Powell received a £70 fine for driving in a bus lane on Thornton Road after going out for pizza one evening. Powell, who has been driving since 1968, was confused by the new restrictions and felt that he had no idea about the changes.
“After say, seven o’ clock, there’s hardly any traffic,” Powell explained to The Yorkshire & Lancashire (T&A). “There isn’t going to be any traffic at 12 o’clock at night. There won’t be many buses.”
He continued: “If they’d have had ‘bus lane, taxi lane, live for 24 hours’, people wouldn’t go in.
I was disgusted. It’s just a money making thing.”
Council Response and Public Communication
The Bradford Council spokesperson provided a statement to clarify the situation: “Where a bus lane is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there will be blue signs indicating the presence of the bus lane, but no times will be listed. These signs are in situ at this site and the PCN was issued correctly.”
However, Powell believes that additional signage would have helped prevent the fine: “It wouldn’t take much to put a sticker on the sign saying ‘live for 24 hours.’” He added that he felt informed of the changes was inadequate.
The Broader Context
This incident comes amid concerns over bus lane enforcement across the city. The council has also received criticism regarding the number and cost of fines issued in other areas, such as Vicar Lane. Richard Leak, a regular bus user, requested information through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to understand the scale of the fine issue.
Leak’s FOI revealed that between October 8 and October 29, 2025, over 2,421 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued on Vicar Lane. The council stated that the fines would generate a potential revenue of £85,735 to £169,470.
“The bottom line is that these fines are extortionate and a cash cow for Bradford Council,” Leak said in an interview with T&A.
Conclusion
The case of Brian Powell reflects the broader challenge faced by local councils as they implement new traffic regulations. While the council argues that signs were provided, drivers like Powell feel that communication could be improved to prevent misunderstandings and fines.
As Bradford continues to navigate these changes, it remains to be seen how effective current measures are in educating residents about updated traffic rules.
Bradford Council, Brian Powell
