A COUPLE have claimed a "victory for common sense" after they had a Bradford Council-issued bus lane fine overturned.

Sarah Hattam was one of 182 motorists captured on the camera on Bridge Street during the City Runs event last October 25, as they attempted to follow a diversion route put in place by the authority.

Mrs Hattam, 48, and her husband Roger, of Bingley, appealed the £60 penalty and insisted the diversions were not clearly marked - something an independent adjudicator agreed with at a hearing yesterday.

"The level of signage and the fact that some of it was obscured, meant it was not enough to enforce the fine and it was overturned," said Mr Hattam, 47.

"We are very pleased that, ultimately, the adjudicator has ruled in favour of common sense. It is a shame there are 180-odd other people who, some of whom will have paid a fine that was not reasonable or right for them to pay.

"One might ask whether Bradford Council will be minded to rescind some of the fines that were issued on the day."

Mr Hattam added: "The adjudicator's comment was that relatively small and low cost work to improve signage in front of the bus lane could get rid of a lot of heartache."

The information that the camera caught 182 motorists in six hours on the day came to light after Mr Hattam submitted a Freedom of Information request. The council stood to collect up to £10,920 from motorists issued with fines that day.

The drivers were snared by the camera between 6am and noon. Only seven drivers were caught during the same time period the previous Sunday when no road diversions were in place.

At the time, Mr Hattam said: "It is frustrating and it is not about the money.

"By the letter of the law they are right. But by anyone's normal sense of common sense, they are wrong.

"The common sense approach would be to waive the offence on this occasion and let motorists make the decision about giving to charity.

"Trying to go through Bradford on that day, there was all sorts of chaos because of the run in the centre of town."

The couple's appeal was backed by Nigel Dixon, who successfully overturned a fine after being diverted by marshals during the 2013 City Runs.

At the time, a council spokesman said the event was well advertised weeks beforehand with signs and in the media, and added: "We also placed warning signs about the road closures on the highways two weeks in advance of the event. All the signage about the diversions was accurate and did not divert or direct drivers towards or into any bus lanes."

The council spokesman was not able to say whether it would be refunding the other 181 motorists caught on the same day as Mrs Hattam.

"We will look into this case once we have received full details of the outcome of the hearing," he said.