MOTORISTS are calling for better signage after it was revealed the town's busiest bus lane camera caught out more than 11,000 drivers last year.

Residents have blamed the high figures on a lack of warning on the restricted roads after a Reading Borough Council report showed it had raked in at least £2.5m in fines.

Minster Street in the town centre came out top with 11,594 vehicles being snapped using the lanes incorrectly - an equivalent of 31 fines per day.

The single stretch of road brought in at least £347,820 making up more than one tenth of all the town's bus lane infringements.

Despite complaints, the borough's lead councillor for transport Cllr Tony Page denied the council was "fleecing" drivers.

Steven Illingworth, a resident who was recently caught out by a camera in Vastern Road, said the figures amounted to "day-light robbery."

The 52-year-old said: "There needs to be more signage warning motorists that bus lane camera enforcement is in action and they are getting away with it.

"The council should not be getting that much money from bus lane charges, if the signage was right it wouldn't happen."

Motorists caught driving through designated bus lanes have to pay at least £30 to the council, unless they exceed the 14 day time period, at which point the charge doubles to £60.

The northern section of London Street fell narrowly behind Minster Street, producing a minimum of £259,560 - the equivalent of 23 fines per day.

Access Road Southbound, which links the new entrance to Reading Station to Vastern Road, caught out 1,474 drivers last year, blitzing 2013's figure by 119 per cent.

Mr Illingworth added: "Unless people are warned it's going to keep on happening.

"When I was caught I didn't realise it was a 24-hour bus lane, I was only in there for a few seconds."

Eugene Incerti, who was fined when he drove through Blagrave Street after picking up his disabled wife from Reading Station, agreed that signs should be more visible.

Mr Incerti said: "I had no choice but to drive through Blagrave Street and I expected to receive a fine, however I thought given the circumstance the fine would be waived.

"I truly despair with such narrow-mindedness when they are essential and practical reasons for making a small logical infringement to save someone , anyone, from further distress and additional pain from their disability."

Reading's lead member for transport and planning, Cllr Tony Page, shunned Mr Illingworth's claims.

Cllr Page said: "We are not fleecing anyone, we don't force people to drive into bus lanes.

"The bus lanes are very well advertised and we have complied with all signage regulations, it's up to motorists to observe the signs.

"If people think there are extenuating circumstances then they can appeal.

"The Vastern Road bus lane is almost impossible to drive into without doing so deliberately."

Cllr Page added that the income is ring fenced for transport and environmental projects, such as subsidising the ReadiBus service for residents.