Council faces illegal fines bill

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Manchester City Council could face a staggering £544,000 refund bill after admitting that cameras used to issue fines to motorists driving in bus lanes were illegal.

A total of 18,145 tickets were dispensed using the cameras, with the council believing the technology could be retrospectively approved - a move solicitors have now ruled out.

All such devices were approved by the Department for Transport on December 24, 2008, but drivers fined before then were done so illegally, the council has said.

Vicky Rosin, assistant chief executive of the council said the error was down to a "regrettable administrative oversight", adding: "We have taken steps to notify the public and we apologise for this mix-up. We remain determined to ensure that bus lanes stay free-flowing for the benefit of public transport users and to help prevent congestion."

Anyone who thinks they have received an illegal fine should email their ticket number to buslanerepresentations@manchester.gov.uk.

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