The region's councils earned nearly £8 million from bus lane cameras in just five years, The Northern Echo can reveal.

We asked local authorities across the North East to tell us how much income they received from bus lane enforcement measures and how many fines they had issued since 2017.

Search their figures in the table below and read on for what the councils had to say.

GATESHEAD COUNCIL

Marc Morley, service director for Highways and Waste at Gateshead Council, said it was “as fair as possible” in its operation of bus lanes.

He said: “Using bus lanes is part of our wider strategy to address the dominance of motor traffic in and around Gateshead town centre and the quays area.

Read more: North East councils make millions from bus lane enforcement - here's where you could get caught

“Almost a third of North East households have no access to a car, and for many people, walking or cycling, or using the bus or Metro, are their only options.

“All revenue generated from Penalty Charge Notices either pays for the costs of running bus lane cameras and issuing PCNs, or is re-invested in improving transport infrastructure in Gateshead.

“Gateshead is completely committed to tackling the climate emergency and resolving problems with air quality,

“We need to shift the balance away from the private car and towards alternative forms of transport, and would urge all those using our road network to choose the most appropriate, and least polluting mode of transport for their journey.”

The Northern Echo:

Askew Road, Gateshead

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL

A spokeswoman for Newcastle City Council said all surplus income from bus lane penalty charges is ring-fenced and could only be used for highways improvements.

She said: “Bus lanes help us to manage our region’s transport network and provide reliable journey times for passengers.

“This is particularly important as we seek to encourage people out of their cars in favour of cleaner, less polluting ways to travel.”

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

Dave Lewin, Durham’s strategic traffic manager, said: “In common with other councils in the region, we use detection cameras to deter bus lane misuse.

“This helps to improve bus journey times, increases reliability of bus services, encourages sustainable transport, improves road safety and emergency service response times.

“There are currently three camera enforced bus lanes in County Durham, at locations that have been a regular source of complaints of misuse over the years.

“When camera enforcement is implemented, every effort is made to advise drivers in advance including through the distribution of information packs to nearby residents and businesses and putting up signs.

“Warning letters instead of penalty notices are also issued for a period of time following the introduction of the measures to allow people to get used to the new arrangements.” 

“Where a PCN is issued and we discover the driver is exempt due to certain circumstances, we are always happy to cancel.

"All income is reinvested in managing the county’s road network and providing subsidised transport across our communities for those who rely on public transport.”