Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) will be installed at the bus gate in Semington to stop unauthorised drivers using it.

Police have said they are “actively patrolling” the area following complaints of rule-breaking drivers.

This comes the day after Wiltshire Council made the announced after it recorded a total of 171 vehicles passing through the bus gate, “far exceeding” the daily number of buses permitted to use the route.

It was installed in 2004 following the construction of the A350 Semington bypass, and is designed to prevent through traffic using the old route through Semington village, while maintaining a through route for buses.

The ANPR camera is expected to be installed in June and will become operational shortly afterwards. 

The Penalty Charge Notice for any unauthorised vehicle ignoring the bus gate will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Any surplus income is used to fund the council's parking services.

The day after, Wiltshire Specials shared on social media: “Road safety team out in response to numerous complaints of drivers cutting through the bus gate in Semington. Unit actively patrolling this evening.”

Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Following reports of drivers ignoring the bus gate in Semington, the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group has requested that we install a camera to improve the safety of this road and stop rat-running through the village.

“This request has been backed by both Semington and Melksham Without parish councils, to tackle a longstanding concern and to deter motorists from unlawfully using the bus gate.

“We know that some people will claim that this is a money-making exercise, but we want drivers to abide by the traffic restriction, and if they do so there will be no fines and the road will be safer for the local community.

“We are committed to improving road safety here in Wiltshire, as underlined in our Business Plan, and that's why we're taking this action, to prevent some drivers from putting other road users at risks.”

The camera request was made by the Melksham area Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG), which is financing the camera installation in partnership with Semington Parish Council. 

Ongoing maintenance of the camera will be jointly funded by Wiltshire Council, Semington Parish Council and Melksham Without Parish Council, all of whom were consulted and are said to agree with the installation.