The number of people fined for driving in bus lanes has more than doubled in the past year.

According to figures obtained by the Enfield Independent, 27,524 people received Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £130 for offences relating to bus lanes in the past year - up from 12,606 in 2014/15.

If they were all paid in full it would mean Enfield Council have raised £3,578,120 in the past year, on top of the cost of all other parking tickets and driving fines.

Parking charges are enforced for the council by a third party, Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions (IECS), which have run the system since 2010

In 2015/16, the council have paid them fees of £97,477 to uphold the rules, although they confirmed ICES do not receive a cut of all fines.

Council cabinet member for environment Cllr Daniel Anderson said: “We operate a firm, but fair approach and if you don't drive in a bus lane during prohibited hours, you won't get a ticket.

"However, if you decide to jump a queue, at the expense of other motorists, by driving in a bus lane, you should expect to face the consequences.

"Nonetheless, any motorist who feels that they have been hard done by has the right of appeal and this is an independent process."

Money raised from issuing bus lane fines has to, by law, be spent on transport projects.

The council said it puts surplus money towards road safety and other transport projects, as well as subsidising concessionary travel for disabled and older people.