A FURTHER 8,500 drivers have been fined for crossing York’s Lendal Bridge, bringing the total penalised since its trial closure began to more than 34,500.

Latest statistics have also revealed three out of York’s five Park & Ride bus services took slightly longer to get in and out of the city in November than in the same month last year.

The figures have been published by City of York Council in its third monthly update on the impact of the controversial closure of the bridge to cars, vans and motorbikes between 10.30am and 5pm, a key aim of which is to speed up bus journeys.

The 8,500 penalty charge notices were issued from November 11 to December 2.