A “death trap” bus lane that caught out 17,000 motorists in three years has finally been removed by Merton Council.

Thousands of drivers had been hit with fines of £50 or more after accidentally entering the Hartfield Road bus lane in Wimbledon while attempting to turn off the main road.

Several motorists complained they narrowly avoided colliding with cars and bicycles as they steered clear of the lane while turning into Beulah Road.

The perceived danger and unfairness of the road marking prompted a campaign that began in 2004 and was only resolved last month as the council announced the bus lane’s removal.

William Road resident, Mohamed Wahed, who had been caught out on multiple occasions, led calls for it to be scrapped.

He said: “This really is a great victory for residents and the local community."

The council suspended penalties for motorists entering the lane a year ago after it emerged more than £800,000 in revenue had been collected in fines since 2004 when a camera had been installed to catch motorists - equating to £764 for every day the lane had been enforced.

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond put his weight behind the campaign, criticising the local authority for penalising residents as they lawfully went about their business.

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor David Williams, said: "After consultation with residents, we listened to their views about whether the bus lane should be removed or not and there was an overwhelming wish for it to be taken away to allow greater movement of traffic.”

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