Thousands of motorists driven to distraction by a council bus lane blunder will not have £900,000 of fines refunded.

A total of 15,359 drivers were fined up to £120 after being caught in the bus lane in Eden Street, Kingston, after it was introduced on July 13, 2009.

In August, an adjudicator at the parking and traffic appeals service overturned a fine incurred on October 3, 2010, because he was not satisfied the bus lane signage was lawful.

Campaigners won a partial victory this month when Kingston Council changed the signs to make the presence of the bus lane more obvious.

Changes include a new warning sign in Eden Street before the Apple Market loading bay, and the removal of other signs to present a less cluttered message.

However, the authority came in for heavy criticism after stating it “does not consider there is any reason to provide refunds for bus lane penalties issued” before the changes.

Town centre busker Phillip Morgan, who first raised concerns about bus lane enforcement, said: “I think that’s wholly wrong.

“Questions ought to be asked why they have changed all these signs, which is an admission of guilt.”

Barrie Segal, founder of the AppealNow.com, said: “These sort of actions reinforce motorists’ view that council enforcement is all about money and that fairness is something that applies to other people not councils.

“The council’s refusal to refund motorists misled by their illegal and confusing signage demonstrates an astonishing arrogance."

A council spokesman said: “As soon as the council became aware there were concerns about the bus lane road markings as a result of an appeal outcome, it immediately sought advice from the Department for Transport (DfT).

“Although the council was advised the road markings were legal, the DfT made recommendations for how they could be improved to provide further clarity to motorists.

“The council has received formal authorisation to the changes and we do not expect there to be any further uncertainty about the bus lane enforcement in Eden Street.”