Newcastle: Promoters fined for using vintage double decker in bus lane

TyneIdols says it will appeal against a Penalty Charge Notice issued by Newcastle City Council after it used the High Level Bridge in Newcastle.

TyneIdols operates a vintage Leyland Atlantean double-decker bus which first saw active service in Huddersfield in its original burgundy and cream livery.

Read more: Almost all Gateshead bus lane fines overturned at appeal tribunal

Now, in bright yellow Newcastle Busways colours, the bus is very distinctive and travels across Tyneside and Northumberland hosting music, TV, and film tours.

Some of their specialist tours have included themes such as Get Carter, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Likely Lads, Sting and “Him off the Viz”.

Their popular Newcastle Gateshead tours hosted by ex-Lindisfarne drummer, Ray Laidlaw sees the bus travel over the High-Level Bridge playing Fog on the Tyne on the bus’ sound system while he narrates the story of the song and points out the “sleezy snack bar” where sickly sausage rolls were sucked.

TyneIdols says, "ironically", despite dozens of crossings of the bridge which is only open to buses and taxis, they have now been issued with a ticket for using the bridge in a bus lane. The penalty charge of £70 is reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

Paul Irwin from TyneIdols said: “I hope this is an automated process as we were even sent a photo and video of the bus in the bus lane.

"We’ve all had a good laugh about this, and it’s made our bus even more of a star than she already is. We have appealed the PCN and hopefully we will be able to continue using the bridge to promote our region’s rich culture and entertainment history.”

Paul added: “The Penalty Charge Notice states that the Alleged Contravention describes the 70-seater double-decker bus as “being in a bus lane” and we can confirm that our vehicle is definitely a bus!”

TyneIdols appeal statement reads as follows: “We are a 70-seater double decker vintage bus simply using one of the many bus lanes we have used for the past 10 years.

Read next:

• New work proposal on notorious County Durham crossroad is  'good news'
• Watch Ferryhill drug dealer's arrest as police find cocaine and heroin on him
• Police welcome long sentence imposed on predatory Crook sex offender

Benefit from unrivalled local journalism with a Northern Echo digital subscription for just £1.50 a week. Click here.

The alleged contravention of 'Being in a bus lane' is true.....but I can assure you the vehicle is 100% a bus.”

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “Both the High Level Bridge and Tyne Bridge Slip Road bus lanes are for local buses.

“A local bus for the purposes of enforcement in our legal order is a public service vehicle used for a local service - not an excursion or tour bus.

“We believe the PCN has correctly been issued in accordance with our legal order however we are aware an appeal has been submitted by the company and this will be given careful consideration.”