COMPLAINTS about bus lane fines have flooded in since the Chronicle revealed the council has raked in £2.5million from penalising drivers this year.

Lead member for transport Councillor Tony Page, though, dismissed claims that a lack of signage was to blame, insisting the council had "complied with all signage regulations".

He also stressed that the current figure for total fines is short of the £3m taken the previous year.

Cllr Page said: "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."

However, Simon Burnett, an "infrequent visitor" to the town, spoke of his frustration after a camera snapped him driving through the northern section of London Street.

Mr Burnett said: "Looking on Google Maps I can completely understand how I made the mistake. "I see that the signpost informing drivers of the bus lane that they are approaching is small and of similar size to other less important signs on the same stretch of road informing users of cycle paths etc.

"The sign does not appear to be lit up at night.

"Once the lettering on the road becomes visible it is too late to change track.

"Ironically I did want to turn left at the junction, a route which I now know would have meant I didn’t travel in the bus lane, but the signs indicating it was ok to do so were not clear.

"My annoyance was increased further when I read in the local newspaper of the number of drivers caught this way."

London Street raked in at least £259,560 last year, but Minster Street was by far the town's biggest earner, pulling in £347,820.

Paul Holland, who was recently caught out in Minster Street, added: "If the aim was to keep this bus lane free of cars then they would have done something about the road design/layout.

"To say Reading Borough Council ‘complied with all signage regulations’ is spurious.

"Of course it is about generating income and a tax on visitors.

"I hope they spend my £30 wisely as I will never be coming back to Reading Town centre – but I guess my potential future spending is not an issue."