Five new traffic cameras are being installed by Bradford Council in a bid to stop drivers flouting bus lane rules across the city.

Two cameras will be situated on two new bus lanes in Huddersfield Road, with two more on existing bus lanes each side of the junction on the A650 at Saltaire and one on Bridge Street in Bradford city centre.

Signs will also be put up to warn drivers the bus lanes are being monitored.

Councillor Andrew Thornton, the Council’s executive member for environment, sport and sustainability, said the move would speed up the public transport network.

“Dedicated bus lanes increase the reliability of bus services and speed up journey times, which encourages the use of public transport.

“Those drivers who ignore bus lane restrictions risk delaying public transport and are a source of frustration and annoyance to law-abiding road users.

“Cameras are the only realistic and cost-effective means of tackling those drivers who don’t comply with the rules.

“Our aim is to stop abuse of bus lanes by some motorists so public transport keeps moving. Figures show that abuse of bus lanes falls significantly when cameras are introduced.”

CCTV footage will be reviewed daily by a Council civil enforcement officer and, if an offence is confirmed, a penalty charge notice will be sent out to the driver by post.

The penalty for illegal use of a bus lane is a £60 penalty charge notice, with a discount of £30 for prompt payment.

The Council said money collected through fixed penalty notices is used to cover the cost of monitoring bus lanes for compliance and supports other improvements to the district’s road network.

The first of the new cameras could be operational by next week, with the others coming on stream in the next couple of months.