Kingston Council has dished out the second-most bus lane penalty charge notices in London, new analysis has revealed this week.

A total of 28,984 were handed out from April 2016 to March 2017, representing a 17 percent rise over the same time a year prior.

But Lambeth Council came out way on top with a huge 44,148 - 15,000 more than Kingston - according to motoring specialists Click4Reg.

Click4Reg managing director Elie Fakhoury said: “The sheer amount of bus lane penalty charge notices issued in London are certainly more than anyone would expect.

“With driving in the capital already problematic, largely due to the heavy congestion, it seems many drivers are using the bus lane to jump queues and minimise delays to their own trips.

“Whilst many knowingly do so, there are those who are not aware of the infringements they are committing until being fined.

“For such individuals, they should thoroughly educate themselves on bus lane rules, markings and signage.

“Additionally, take careful consideration before following the lead of other vehicles into bus lanes.”

Your Local Guardian: Click4Reg infographic on PCNs issued by councils across London.

Click4Reg infographic on PCNs issued by councils across London

Click4Reg analysis also found 346,860 bus lane PCNs were issued by 26 London councils over 2016-17, an eight percent increase on the previous year.

At the other end of the scale, Wandsworth Council gave out the fewest at just – at just 61 – while Richmond Council were sixth from bottom with 4,524.

In terms of year-on-year increases, Merton Council ranked first at 172 percent – from 7,919 to 21,551 – in the whole capital.

A Kingston Council spokeswoman said: "Our bus lanes were introduced more than 15 years ago to give priority to this sustainable form of transport.

"However, on a daily basis, a high number of motorists either deliberately ignore the restrictions or are unaware of them, therefore it's helpful that Click4Reg is highlighting this issue.

"The measures are put in place to reduce congestion in our town centres and improve journey times for all road users."

Nearly half of the top 10 comprises of south London councils – Lambeth, Kingston, Merton, and Bromley.

Bus lanes enforced across London have blue signs which indicate the times in which they operate.

If “unauthorised” vehicles are found to be using bus lanes within these specified hours, then they risk being slapped with a PCN.

Drivers illegally using a bus lane between restricted times can be handed a PCN of either £65, if outside Greater London, or a bigger £160 in inside Greater London.

The figures were derived by Click4Reg from London Councils' annual PCN reports for both 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Bexley, City of London, Greenwich, Kensington & Chelsea, Redbridge, Sutton, and Westminster were all omitted because none of them enforce particular bus lanes in their boroughs.

To see more, visit: www.click4reg.co.uk.