A council has raked in a staggering £2.5 million from a contentious bus gate within just 15 months, according to fresh data. Following a Freedom of Information request, it emerged that a whopping 60,128 fines were slapped on drivers for breaching the Cumberland Road bus gate rules in Bristol from 1 January 2024 to 3 April 2025.

This particular bus gate is designed to give priority to public transport by allowing only buses, cycles, taxis, and motorcycles access to central city areas via Cumberland Road. Motorists hit with penalty charge notices for navigating through the bus gate are set back £35 each, with some pointing fingers at Google Maps for misleadingly indicating that the quickest route into town is along that very road.

Bristol City Council has championed the use of bus gates throughout the city as a means to slash air pollution "and increase the number of bus travel options for residents." The BBC's FOI request unveiled that the Cumberland Road bus gate fines have now amassed roughly £2.529 million – a figure that dwarfs the revenue from the second most lucrative bus gate in the city by over fourfold.

The information also highlighted that there were 128 challenges to the fines during this timeframe, though the success rate of these appeals remains unclear. In February, an adjudicator from the Traffic Penalty Tribunal expressed concerns regarding the clarity of the signage leading up to the bus gate while reviewing an appeal.

Despite this, the council has consistently maintained that the signage meets all current standards and regulations. Councillor Ed Plowden, transport committee chair on Bristol City Council, informed the BBC, "It is the responsibility of all drivers to plan their journey appropriately and avoid bus gates."

He noted, "Drivers can find details of bus gates in Bristol on the council's website." Plowden also mentioned that there is a grace period stating, "We continue to offer leniency, at our discretion, for those drivers who receive multiple fines in the time between their first incorrect use of the bus gate and getting notice of the fine in the post."

The city has raked in a whopping £4.7m from penalties linked to bus corridors. Local man Matt Sanders has made waves by declaring the gate 'unlawful' and 'defective'. Matt Sanders, a Windmill Hill graphic designer, has dedicated months to gathering proof to challenge the bus gate, insisting that the signage fails to meet national standards.

He is pushing Bristol City Council for swift reforms and compensation for fined drivers, presenting his claims in an impressive 150-page dossier, which he has distributed to every councillor in Bristol.

Despite the uproar, the council staunchly stands by the gate, asserting it had installed 14 warning signs whereas only two were mandated. The authority highlighted that the introduction of the bus gate aimed to enhance air quality and prioritise public transport.