Drivers continue to face penalties in large numbers at three notorious Birmingham city centre bus lanes, with close to 18,000 motorists punished in the first five months of 2026 alone. The trend of recent years has persisted, suggesting drivers are still not heeding the rules or that unfamiliar motorists are being caught out.
Moor Street Queensway: The Scourge of Drivers
The bus lanes on Moor Street Queensway remain the most problematic. One northbound lane heading towards Carrs Lane and another southbound towards Digbeth near the Bullring have landed thousands of confused motorists in trouble. Up to the end of May, 8,768 penalties were issued to drivers erring towards Digbeth and 7,092 towards Carrs Lane, according to freedom of information data obtained by BirminghamLive.
Additionally, over 2,000 drivers broke the rules at St Martin's Queensway, towards Moor Street Queensway, bringing the total at these three bus lanes to 17,909. This means around 120 drivers are caught by cameras every day on average. Despite the rules being in place for several years, motorists are still getting into trouble.
Broad Street: Another Major Money-Maker
Broad Street is another area where drivers are punished in huge numbers for breaching bus lane rules. Around another 18,000 motorists have been penalised there, on top of the thousands in the Moor Street Queensway area. City council leaders stress that the restrictions are not intended as a revenue source but to ensure smooth travel for buses and Metro trams.
Penalties and Reminders
Motorists who enter bus lanes face £30 fines, which double to £60 if not paid within 14 days. Drivers are reminded to pay close attention to signage and road markings to avoid penalties. The data shows that despite years of enforcement, the problem persists, with many drivers possibly unfamiliar with the city's road layout.
