Drivers are being fined for using the Semington Bus Gate at Outmarsh after automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) went live last month.
A total of 261 contraventions have been recorded and fines issued, which equates to approximately 17 drivers being caught per day.
The ANPR camera was installed by Wiltshire Council, after Semington Parish Council, in consultation with Melksham Without Parish Council, requested the surveillance following reports of drivers ignoring the restrictions.
The bus gate was installed in 2004 following the construction of the A350 Semington bypass and is designed to prevent through traffic using the old route through Semington village, while maintaining a through route for buses.
During a recent traffic count, there were an average of 171 vehicle movements per day recorded travelling through the bus gate, which far exceeds the daily number of buses that pass along the route.
Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, Cllr John Glover, said, “For many years, drivers have ignored the bus gate in the parish and used it to access Semington and to avoid heavy traffic on the A350. This causes safety concerns for the many residents that use what should be a quiet stretch of road with very little traffic to access the Kennet & Avon canal and to Semington and beyond.
“This is part of the National Cycle Network and Active Travel route between Melksham and Hilperton and should be a tranquil walk or bike ride along the historic route of the Wilts & Berks Canal. Melksham Without Parish Council is pleased to find a solution to this longstanding issue, working with Semington Parish Council and Wiltshire Council. We hope this will also reduce the amount of speeding traffic on Semington Road looking for a quick alternative route to the A350.”
Wiltshire Council has said the Penalty Charge Notice for any unauthorised vehicle ignoring the bus gate will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Any surplus income is used to fund the council’s parking services.
Pictured: Semington Bus Gate
