A GROUP of councillors are refusing to back plans for bus lane cameras in Hull until a full review of the network is carried out.
Hull City Council is looking to introduce automatic number plate recognition cameras on bus lanes throughout the city.
Motorists caught using the lanes illegally would face £60 fines.
Yesterday, the authority's energy and infrastructure scrutiny committee wanted a full review to be carried out before deciding whether to back the proposals after raising concerns about some problem areas.
Of particular concern are the Argyle Street and Park Street junctions in Anlaby Road near Hull Royal Infirmary.
In Argyle Street, vehicles have to filter into the bus lane to go straight on and there is a similar problem for those wishing to turn left into Park Street.
Councillors asked for the bus lanes in these areas to be shortened to allow motorists more time to get into the right lane.
Committee chairman Councillor Pete Allen said: "We need to make sure we get the road markings right before we start penalising motorists for going into bus lanes.
"I don't feel we can support this until a full review has been done."
In June, Hull City Council trialled the latest cameras to gauge the extent of the problem in Anlaby Road, west Hull.
During a two-week period, hundreds of motorists were caught using the lanes during the hours they were in operation, although the authority chose not to issue fines.
Councillor John Fareham also believes the need for the bus lane cameras has to have the support of the city's residents.
He said: "Anlaby Road is not popular among motorists, which raises a moral question of whether it should even remain in place.
"We also need to look at the timings when the enforcement is in operation.
"There are times when you are crawling at two miles an hour and no buses are passing you in the lane. It's not always a good use of road capacity."
The report before the committee also revealed that £250,000 surplus cash could be generated from the fines.
Councillor Alan Clark said: "We want a cast-iron guarantee revenues generated above and beyond what is already ring- fenced to fix the roads in the city."
The report into the plans was ordered by Councillor Martin Mancey, the portfolio holder for transport.
The initial capital set-up cost for bus lane enforcement is estimated at £100,000, covering the cost of camera procurement, installation and IT requirements.
The overall revenue cost for camera maintenance, enforcement and staff costs are estimated at £150,000 a year.
The results from the trial undertaken in June indicate the annual revenue costs should be recovered and could provide a significant surplus of more than £250,000 a year.
Eight cameras will be fitted across the city, including Anlaby Road, Beverley Road and Holderness Road in east Hull.
The recommendations of the scrutiny committee will be included in a report which will go before the authority's cabinet committee on Monday, October 27.
If cabinet approves the plans the cameras could be installed by April 1.
