Fines will soon be handed out to drivers creeping into bus lanes on a busy Christchurch road

A crackdown will begin in March prompted by council officers finding motorists straying into bus lanes on the Main North Road the past few weeks

Transport Operations manager Steffan Thomas says the focus has been on warning drivers, but from March 1 150 dollar fines will be enforced.

Thomas says buses have the priority and motorists have to stay out, unless they're turning.

A mix of peak-time and full-time bus lanes are on the road.