AS rush hour approached yesterday, only a trickle of taxis and a couple of cars ventured down Station Street.
But it will be a very different scene next week when up to 35 rail replacement buses will start to use the road as a £100 million project to upgrade Nottingham Station gets under way.
In order to ease the flow of buses, cars have been prevented from turning on to Station Street from London Road.
Restrictions were put into place in late June but were enforced from yesterday. Motorists caught flouting the ban could be handed a £60 fine.
The number of people caught on June 24 – the first day of the restrictions – was 355, with the figure dropping to just 61 two weeks later.
But although cars can access Station Street from Trent Street, a Post reporter saw two cars turning on to the street and running the risk of a fine.
Upon finding out that he could be facing a fine, the driver of a Toyota Aygo said: "I don't believe it. How long has it been like that? I didn't see the signs anywhere."
The "bus gate" aims to encourage drivers going to the railway station to use the designated drop-off and pick-up point in Queen's Road, rather than Station Street or the railway station front in Carrington Street.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis and bicycles are the only vehicles allowed to access Station Street from London Road.
During the re-signalling works, this will be restricted further to allow access for buses and cycles only. Additional changes as part of the works include the introduction of a bus lane on Sheriffs Way which will allow buses coming from East Midlands Parkway direct access to a new drop-off point on Queen's Road.
City councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for planning and transport, said: "We are working very closely with Network Rail, East Midlands Trains and other partners to help minimise any disruption to the travelling public as a result of the signal improvement works over the summer.
"We are pleased that the introduction of the bus gate to improve access around the station is already having a positive impact by reducing the number of vehicles accessing Station Street from London Road.
"We're also ensuring that clear, up-to-date information is available to help people make the appropriate journey choices. I would encourage anyone who normally travels to Nottingham by train to think now about the alternatives that might be available to them."
