City's bus gate sign 'tampered with by vandals'

Vandals have targeted a key warning sign designed to warn motorists not to enter a city's controversial bus-only zone.

It means motorists heading towards the bus gate on Corporation Street in Preston get no warning when travelling in one direction along Heatley Street, while those heading the other way are actively encouraged to drive straight through it.

Until the signs are replaced, Lancashire County Council said it would not issue fines to anyone who fell foul of the restrictions when coming from the affected approaches. The local authority said any fines that had already been generated could be appealed.

It is not known how long the warning notice has been pointing the wrong way.

The vandalised sign stands at the end of the western side of Heatley Street and gives a 'no left turn' order to prevent vehicles that emerge from the side road from entering the restricted area on the main road.

However, the sign has been spun around 180 degrees, meaning that motorists emerging from that approach get no indication of any restriction on the turns they can make at the junction.

The short length of bus-only street has been in operation on Corporation Street since May 2024.

A spokesperson for Reform UK-run Lancashire County Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We are aware that an advanced sign at the Corporation Street bus gate has been tampered with – and we will be returning the sign to its correct position.

"Drivers must continue to follow all signs and restrictions of the bus gate – however, until the sign on Heatley Street is returned to its correct position, we will not enforce the left turn movement that drivers may make by mistake into the bus gate, as enforcement here is not intended to penalise drivers who have acted in good faith.

"Anyone who feels they may have unfairly received a penalty charge notice can challenge this through the appeals process."

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