A COUNCILLOR says he is hoping to "strike a balance" over a controversial bus lane which has seen thousands of residents fined.

Councillor Colin Smith says he is sympathetic to the "excessive prosecution" of motorists entering the bus lane in Cray Avenue, Orpington.

Cllr Smith made his comments after an appeal was granted against the council by London's independent parking penalty tribunal, the Parking Traffic Appeals Service.

Roy Swift, of The Landway, Orpington, is thought to be one of the first people in the borough to have succeeded in his appeal against the £100 fine.

Mr Swift's appeal was granted on the grounds "no advantage" had been gained over other traffic after he entered the bus lane.

Bromley Council has written to the appeals service and is waiting for clarification on the decision.

The council has issued 9,143 fines split between three cameras since August last year.

Council documents claim the loss of income if the number of fines issued dropped by 1,000 would be £46,000.

Cllr Smith, who is the executive member for Bromley Council's environment and leisure portfolio, says the appeals service's decision has caused "considerable confusion and surprise" but he sympathises with motorists.

He said: "Motorists should be allowed to use empty bus lanes providing they don't stop in them and use them to turn left, not as a conduit to queue jump.

"Although I must emphasise strongly in advance until such time as change is achieved, if indeed change proves possible at all, motorists must obey the existing regulations or risk the consequences."

He added: "I have already set a review in motion to see exactly what can sensibly be done to mitigate against the frustration motorists experience by sitting needlessly in queues of traffice when they can see their exit but are delayed from accessing it under current regulations.

"Common sense dictates this is wrong.

"It increases travelling times unnecessarily as well as causing extra pollution from idling engines.

"We are looking at how best to strike the balance between enhancing the flow of public transport and infringing unneccessarily on law-abiding motorists who are going about their daily business."