DRIVERS who stray into bus lanes are facing a triple-pronged attack from the police, parking attendants and bus companies.

The Brent BusPlus Enforcement Agreement was signed on Friday last week (Feb 1) by Paul Kane, BusPlus enforcement manager and Cllr Ian Bellia, Lead Member for the Environment in Brent. It marks the start of a campaign to reduce illegal parking and driving on bus routes.

BusPlus programme director Cynthia Grant said: "Brent's BusPlus Borough Enforcement Agreement is a grass roots approach to achieve greater reliability of buses in the local area. It has been achieved through a close working relationship between the council and the BusPlus programme. The signing is a major step forward for the BusPlus programme."

Measures include the use of CCTV and bus-mounted cameras and increased enforcement by parking attendants and the Metropolitan Police.

Drivers caught using bus lanes face fines of £80.

Cllr Bellia added: "I am delighted that Brent has entered into this agreement. It is vitally important that we do everything in our power to ensure Brent's bus lanes are kept clear and a more reliable bus service is achieved.

Paul Kane, London Bus Initiative enforcement manager echoed these views. He said: "Illegal parking, waiting, loading and driving in bus lanes and bays contribute to bus delays and cause service unreliability.

"The BusPlus Enforcement Agreement will increase the presence of bus lane CCTV surveillance and parking attendants at current hot spots such as Wembley Central and Kilburn High Road.

"These measures should help to clear Brent's bus routes, lanes and bays of vehicles allowing for faster and more reliable bus services to operate in the borough."