New cameras have been switched on in Blackheath town centre, enforcing a bus gate that bars cars from a section of road reserved for buses. Motorists who ignore the restriction face fines up to £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Bus gate goes live in Blackheath town centre
The bus gate, operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is in place on the road between Birmingham Road and Long Lane. Sandwell Council said the measure marks the final piece of the new Blackheath Bus Interchange, which opened last year.
The council said the area is "well signed and has a different colour surface, to warn motorists of the restricted area." The bus gate "seeks to boost safety and access for pedestrians," especially bus passengers being dropped off and picked up in the town centre.
Council says bus gate will improve safety and traffic flow
Sandwell Council added that the bus gate would also keep traffic moving smoothly through the town. Councillor Bob Jones, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for environment and enforcement, said: “This is about bus passengers and other pedestrians feeling safer when they come to shop in the town centre.”
Jones noted that "people can still drive through Blackheath town centre along Market Place via the new road layout that was installed last year." He encouraged residents to visit the town centre, saying: “Whether you are travelling in a car or van, by bus, by bike or on foot, now is the perfect time to find out what Blackheath has to offer – come along and support local businesses and market traders.”
Penalty details and advice for motorists
The penalty for entering the bus gate is £70, but this is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. The enforcement applies to cars, with the restriction in force at all times.
Motorists are advised to look out for the signage and the different colour road surface, which indicate the restricted area. The bus gate is part of the wider Blackheath Bus Interchange project, which aims to improve public transport links and pedestrian safety in the town centre.
