A GROWING backlog of unpaid fines levied on drivers caught illegally using bus lanes stands at more than £1.4 million, new figures show.

While Bradford Council looks set to raise more cash from dolling out fines in 2014/15 than in previous years, the aggregate of outstanding payments since 2010/11 has now reached £1.425m.

Between April 1 and December 3 this year, 46,706 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued to drivers wrongly using bus lanes - an average of 5,838 a month, compared to 4,546 a month in 2013/14 and 2,961 the previous year.

If fines are issued at the same rate for the rest of the financial year, about 70,060 will be handed out in 2014/15, up from 54,557 in 2013/14.

A Council spokesman said the increase was due to the local authority monitoring more sites.

And investing in more CCTV cameras to catch drivers has pulled in the cash too.

So far this year the Council has collected £1,123,310 - an average of £140,413 a month - compared to £1,351,746 in 2013/14 - continuing at the same rate would raise more than £1.6m this financial year.

But Council leader David Green insisted traffic fines were not a cash cow and the authority was limited on what the money could be spent on. It goes back into enforcement services, with any extra going to highways.

"My understanding is that the bus lanes were operating before the enforcement cameras were and therefore what we've now got is a situation where more people are being caught because the cameras are now up and running," he said.

Of the 17 bus lanes enforced in the district, most drivers have fallen foul of enforcement on Bolton Road with 7,844 fines issued since April - 16 per cent of all PCNs this year - according to the figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.

In October last year, there was a spike in the number of tickets issued on Bridge Street in the city centre when 223 drivers diverted on the day of the city runs were slapped with fines.

Nigel Dixon, of Cullingworth, successfully appealed his ticket by arguing that marshals had directed traffic along that route.

He said the Council appeared to be making a lot of money by issuing fines, but not always making it clear where they were by keeping on top of making road markings clear.

"I can understand bus lanes needing to be kept clear, but at the same time they do seem to be using it to get money in," he said.

"One of the things I remember is that the road markings weren't as clear as they could be and to me that's more important than the metal signs."

He also suggested that the Council send people a warning letter for their first offence, rather than a fine.

Tim Clark, who was caught in Shipley, agreed. He was astounded by the figures and said receiving fines to fund a stealth tax could put people off visiting areas again.

"You're relying on a punishment tax to fund the Council and I can't see that's right," he said, but he added it would be hard to argue if the money was spent on improving roads.

Cllr Green said the Council did not rely on the money.

"My ideal would be that actually we don't have any tickets given out because people get used to the bus lanes and are obeying the rules," he added.

Mr Clark said there were 14 signs on the junction where he was caught and said there needed to be more clarity.

Bus company First said passengers relied on bus lanes for journeys to run to time.

A spokesman said: "Bus services provided essential access to labour markets, businesses and education and training; are crucial to congestion reduction on key corridors; stimulate investment and regeneration; and provide vital support to local businesses and retail economies.

"It's therefore vital the 23 million passenger journeys we carry each year can get to their destination on time and priority infrastructure such as bus lanes are a significant part of making that happen.

"These also help make public transport more attractive which takes cars off the road and helps reduce congestion as well as reducing the impact of transport on the environment.

"Bus lanes are a vital part of our economy in Bradford and it's right they are protected."

The local authority said all penalties were pursued, regardless of when the PCNs were issued and cases could remain open for up to six years.

Fines are set at £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. But charges can increase to £90 if they remain unpaid and a £7 registration charge is added when the debt is registered at County Court.

"If payment is still not received, debts are passed on to external enforcement agents, who have authority to add on additional fees," said a Council spokesman.

Debts are written off after six years.