Essex County Council has granted an amnesty on penalty charge notices totalling £1 million issued to motorists confused by new bus lane signs.

The move comes after the authority received a high level of enquiries and petitions from drivers who have complained about the bus lane signs and road markings on North Hill and High Street in Colchester town centre.

Cabinet member for highways and transportation at Essex County Council, Rodney Bass, said: “We have received a high volume of correspondence from motorists regarding the clarity of the bus lanes in Colchester town centre, and therefore the decision has been taken to grant an amnesty on all penalty charge notices issued so far. I have asked for additional signage and road markings to be installed as soon as possible to make it clearer to motorists where the bus lanes are located.”

The council says it will start to enforce penalty charge notices again from Sunday January 12. Motorists who have received a penalty charge notice prior to this date will not be charged and drivers who have already paid a penalty charge will receive a full refund. People do not need to contact the county council to obtain a refund, as these will be processed automatically and as soon as practicable.