Misleading road signs could lead to fines, MP says

New road signs to deter motorists from straying into town centre bus lanes could be misleading, an MP has claimed.

Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin says the proposed blue circular boards "imply permission" for drivers to enter a zone where they could be fined up to £70.

The Liberal Democrat MP argued there were red circular signs elsewhere in the town centre and they should be used in bus lanes near the war memorial at Mount Pleasant.

Kent County Council (KCC) said it understood people's concerns, but explained the blue signs complied with the Department for Transport guidance and meant its approach was consistent across Kent.

In a letter to Neil Baker, KCC's highways chief, Martin said he was looking to jointly commission an independent traffic expert, funded by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, to suggest solutions.

"Whilst this is happening, we would ask that you postpone the planned changes which will, in our view, worsen the situation, not improve it," he added.

Under the current review, KCC will take over the administration of, and income from, the scheme in the future, but Baker insists the signs aim to change driver behaviour instead of raise money.

Sue Callaghan, who lives locally, was fined after driving through an existing blue sign elsewhere in Tunbridge Wells.

She said: "It wasn't until afterwards and I had the fine and the letter that I saw the signs.

"Why is it a blue circle? It makes more sense to have a red circle."

Guy Watson, of Rochester, said: "To me the red sign is more obvious and the blue one doesn't say no cars, so some people would be confused."

KCC said a warning period would be in place for six months at the new sites to ensure drivers were aware of the restriction and could plan another route.

The authority explained a motorist would be allowed one violation, but would be fined £70 after that, although it would be halved if paid within 21 days.

There is no fixed start date for the new enforcement.

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