Nearly 9,000 drivers caught in ANOTHER Northampton bus lane...racking up fines of more than £265,000 in three months

Nearly 9,000 people have been caught driving in a busy bus lane in Northampton town centre.

West Northamptonshire Council confirmed today (Monday) that since the bus lane cameras went live in the Drapery on February 1, 8,908 people have been fined...that's 84 a day, or one every 17 minutes.

The fines people receive are £60 reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. Or £90 if the first payment is missed.

This means that if everyone paid their minimum fine of £30, the fines total £267,000 in the 105 days the scheme has been active.

The Chron revealed last week that the council has already pocketed a minimum of £290,000 from motorists in the controversial St James' Road bus lane, which also went live three months ago in February.

Many motorists have criticised the St James' Road bus lane camera's location - opposite Westbridge garage - as people have been using that lane to undertake cars for over 20 years.

It could be said that many residents have a strong habit of driving in that exact part of the lane which is now out of bounds.

In another twist, many people have been coming forward to the Chronicle & Echo this month saying that they have not even received their initial fines in the post from the council which allows them to pay £30.

Instead, they have only received a second letter demanding £90 or they will face legal action.

The council responded to this issue last week saying Royal Mail may have had problems on March 25 and that could be why motorists did not receive their first letters.

Every complainant to the Chron has said that they were supposedly sent fines on March 25.

The council, however, has not offered to reimburse everyone on that date if they paid over the top.

Instead, the council has said people should call or email to appeal.

One man's response to this was: "If they make a mistake they should own up to it and rectify it themselves. Not leave it for the drivers to argue."