MOTORISTS at a city centre junction have been hit with more than £430,000 of fines in just two months.
Seven thousand fines have been dished out since cars were banned from turning left from London Road into Station Street. This has given Nottingham City Council a potential windfall of £432,840.
And, with the restrictions set to last at least until January 2015, the council could eventually collect more than £2 million.
More than 100 drivers are being caught at the junction every day, on average.
The council says the money collected in fines will be spent on transport projects. But motorists are still angry.
Kevin Clarke, owner of taxi firm NG11 Cars, in Clifton, said: "It seems to me it's all about bringing money in.
"They are clearly getting a huge amount of money from it."
The council started enforcing the restriction on July 15, to allow for better access for replacement buses while the railway station was closed.
Now, the authority says the ban will remain for at least 18 months, for unspecified safety reasons. It may then be made permanent.
The Post previously reported that, after the first month, just over 4,000 fines had been given out. On some days, 200 to 300 drivers were being caught.
The number of fines has now nearly doubled.
Motorist Rob Stevenson, 33, of Wilford, said: "It seems pointless. I could understand them doing it when the train station was closed because of all the buses, but now the station has reopened, they should lift the restriction."
The restriction means only buses, licensed hackney carriages and cycles can turn into Station Street off London Road.
Automatic number plate recognition CCTV cameras are recording all unauthorised vehicles that enter the street.
The council insists people have had enough warning. Several signs in London Road warn drivers not to turn into Station Street.
A spokesman said 1,679 warning notices were issued to drivers before the restrictions came into place.
"The restriction is clearly signed and if drivers comply with it, they won't be fined," he said.
Have you been caught out? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
