Birmingham City Council has asked police to resume patrols on its sole car-sharing lane. The dedicated lane, along the A47 Heartlands spine road, is only supposed to be used by vehicles carrying at least two people during the morning rush-hour.

Council transportation strategy chief, Chris Haynes, said initial monitoring data indicated the scheme had been a success and that the number of cars containing two or more people had risen by 20% since last November.

However, not a single fine had been imposed since March. West Midlands Police say they stopped patrolling the road in east Birmingham while the city council carried out a study into the impact of the car-sharing scheme. They have now resumed patrols and will be handing out £60 fines to motorists who break the rule.

The one-year pilot is due to finish next month, and the results of monitoring the lane ‘will be analysed and then form the basis for further discussion on future developments’. Hayes said the experimental order didn’t run out until May, so the car share lane could continue until then, if agreed by council members.