ESSEX County Council has raked in more than £140,000 after fining thousands of drivers for using a bus lane.

Until the end of December, 5,181 drivers have paid a total of £140,484 for using the “bus gate” in Nayland Road, Colchester.

The two cameras have been positioned in the road for more than ten years although they were only switched on in May last year.

Now a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Gazette has revealed since the cameras were activated, 3,270 drivers have been caught using the bus lane in a northerly direction and 1,911 southbound.

Ward councillor Martin Goss said residents should be able to see the benefits of the fines on the roads in the area.

He said: “It’s a monumental income stream for Essex County Council’s highways department.

“I want to see all of this money reinvested in Mile End in fixing potholes and new infrastructure.”

On average, more than 400 drivers have been caught flouting the rules on the northbound side of the carriageway each month.

Fewer drivers, an average of 239 a month, have been caught using the lane southbound.

June saw the biggest boost for Essex County Council’s coffers, with 769 drivers being caught using the lanes.

A spokesman for the county council said: “There are bus gates across the county at key points in town and city centres aimed at improving traffic flow and increasing road safety.

“Bus gates help to ensure buses can run to time and stop cars from using town and city centres as rat runs, thereby reducing congestion.

“They also help to reduce traffic around key junctions, making it safer for pedestrians.

“There is appropriate signage in place around the Nayland Road bus gate and we would expect residents and visitors to the town to abide by the regulations.

The fine money will be used across the county - not just in Mile End.

The spokesman said: “Money raised is reinvested across Essex.”