Beeston tram only-road sees £19,500 fines in a week

A new tram-only road in Nottinghamshire has seen nearly £20,000 of fines issued in its first week.

Part of the £570m tram extension, external saw Lower Road and Fletcher Road in Beeston linked but other traffic excluded.

After warning letters were sent out fines became active on 20 July, with 325 £60 notices sent out in seven days.

The county council said it wanted to avoid the area becoming a rat run but some residents thought drivers were trying to avoid tram-related roadworks.

The short stretch of road connects two former cul-de-sacs and saw the demolition of an old peoples' complex.

Cameras went live on 2 June, with 865 warning letters issued over a seven-week period.

Recent "finishing works" for the tram extension in Beeston have seen renewed diversions and congestion in the area.

Alison Dobbs, who lives on Lower Road, said: "It has been appalling at times. We had the police here on Saturday and its was okay while they were here but started again when they left.

"It's not just the traffic but the speed at which they go - way over 30 mph. This used to be a quiet street and we want to keep that as much as possible."

Peter Goode, traffic manager at the county council, said: "This is well signposted - both at the road and on the main access routes.

"Residents pushed hard for these cameras and they were right to do so. It is not an appropriate road for substantial traffic."