ESSEX County Council has said it will refund hundreds of drivers who were wrongly fined for following signs through a bus gate.

The problem was caused after emergency works were carried out by Anglian Water to repair a burst main.

As part of the work and subsequent road closure, a diversion was put in place where signs directed drivers from Hythe Quay up Hythe Hill, Colchester.

An automatic number plate recognition camera which makes hundreds of thousands of pounds for Essex County Council every year from bus gate fines then caught out drivers who followed the diversion.

Gazette: Fine – a bus gate in Hythe Hill has caught out drivers who were directed past an ANPR camera by Anglian Water signsFine – a bus gate in Hythe Hill has caught out drivers who were directed past an ANPR camera by Anglian Water signs (Image: Google Street View)

Driver Zoe Williamson told the Gazette her 19-year-old daughter Chloe was left upset when she received a fine after following the directions towards Hythe Hill.

She said: “My daughter got a ticket but she is a fairly new driver - she’s had her licence for a year.

“When I saw the signs, I didn’t trust them and drove the other way, but a friend of mine also got a ticket. “Several people have got more than one fine, because they drive up there every day.

“A few people have had their fines repaid but my daughter has already paid hers. She was quite frightened so she paid it straight away, and I am not sure if she will be able to appeal.”

Ms Williamson, 40, continued: “I do think they have completely messed up.

“The council should have thought: ‘Hang on a minute, why are people suddenly using this route?’

“They should have looked at the signs and been aware of what was going to happen.”

Anglian Water said the sign was installed by a third-party traffic management company who is responsible, adding it is trying to contact the company so it can be rectified.

Gazette: Emergency – Anglian Water said drivers were diverted because of emergency repair worksEmergency – Anglian Water said drivers were diverted because of emergency repair works (Image: Public)

Essex Highways bosses revealed a total of 517 PCNs were issued to drivers who used the bus gate as part of the diversion route between May 16 and 21.

A spokesman said: “All of these will be refunded and 80 have been to date.

“Anyone who has received a PCN after driving through the bus gate should contact buslaneenforcement@essexhighways. org or via the details on the back of the PCN.

“We are in contact with Anglian Water to understand how this error occurred and to seek assurance it won’t happen again.”