A FORMER Bradford man who returned to the city for a visit was angry when he received two bus lane fines in short succession - pointing out that a sign said ‘Bus Lane Suspended’.

The man, who did not want to be named, drove on Bridge Street in Bradford city centre in mid-February and was surprised when Bradford Council issued him with two fixed penalty notices.

The man said: “I was driving along the same road on February 15 and received two bus lane fines issued on February 22 and February 27 for the same offence at the same date and time.

“One of the tickets shows my car driving towards the camera and the other passing the camera. The difference in time is less than a quarter of a second.

“The two fines were issued by two different civil enforcement officers. It’s clear that the one issued on 27th should have checked any previous fines for the same offence rather than re-issuing a new fine.

“Also, the bus interchange has been closed for some time for repairs, so buses are not coming there at present so why are they using this bus lane to enforce?

“The road sign clearly shows ‘Bus Lane Suspended’.”

The news comes after Bradford man Mohammed Sajad, of Buttershaw, received five fixed penalty notices for driving in the Bridge Street bus lane in December.

Mr Sajad, who was upset to receive the fines after also spotting the ‘Bus Lane Suspended’ sign, successfully appealed the fines.

The former Bradford man, who saw the story in the T&A, said: “This just seems to be an easy way to get money out of motorists.

“I was born in Bradford but I’ve been working in London for 30 years.

“I’ve never received a ticket for parking or a bus lane violation in 30 years there and then when I come for a visit to Bradford, I get one.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Two penalty charge notices were issued for contraventions on February 15 for accessing two different bus lanes: Bridge Street Interchange and Bridge Street Hall Ings.

“The ‘Bus Lane Suspended’ sign only refers to a short section of the bus lane where part of the route was temporarily reduced from two lanes to one, next to a traffic island.

“As it’s a black and yellow advisory sign, it is only valid until the driver reaches the next permanent roadside sign that displays the order.

“For the order to not apply at the point of permanent signage, the permanent sign would be covered over.”

The Council invited the man to make an appeal, and the man told the T&A he would appeal.