DRIVER WARNING - These traffic cameras ‘rake in £50million a year in fines’
ONE set of traffic cameras in the UK is set to rake in a whopping £50million a year in fines handed to drivers.
One set of traffic cameras is set to rake in £50 million in driver fines
According to reports from the Daily Star, around 1,500 drivers are being caught out daily at the Bank station junction in London.
Seven cameras are monitoring the busy junction with expected revenue topping £16,000 an hour and almost £200,000 every day.
Earlier this year restrictions were introduced banning cars, taxis and lorries from the junction at Bank station between 7am and 7pm on weekdays.
Only bicycles and buses are allowed to the junction now during these times.
Some signage has been put in place near the junction
Some signs have been installed to warn drivers from using the junction but as of yet there are no road markings.
Automatic number plate recognition technology is being used to snare motorists at the junction inside the restricted period.
Between June 7 and July 14 a whopping 41,949 penalty charge notices, each with a £130 fee, were issued.
The number of motorists being caught out every day is at an average of around 1,498 meaning the junction cameras are raking in £194,740 in fines every single day.
Cars, taxis and lorries cannot enter the zone between 7am and 7pm on weekdays
A Freedom of Information request obtained by the Daily Star revealed the total revenue that could be made by these cameras could top £50.5million by the end of the year.
The cameras on this junction are fleecing motorists for £200,000 a day
Between the years of 2011 and 2016, 34 cyclists and 31 pedestrians were injured at the junction.
The City of London Corporation, who are responsible for the ban, hopes the scheme can reduce casualties at the junctions.
They believe that the move to ban vehicles in their area could reduce casualties by between 50 and 60 per cent.
A spokesman said: “Our number one priority for the experimental scheme at Bank junction is to improve safety.
“For too long it has been one of the capital’s dangerous hot spots.”
Tory MP Charlie Elphicke said: “The cameras on this junction are fleecing motorists for £200,000 a day.
“Many people would say this looks like a case of revenue-raising rather than anything to do with traffic safety.
“Cameras are simply there to raise revenue cause big resentment and are incredibly unfair.”