Camera enforcement of the trial bus/taxi/cycle only section on part of Portswood Road is set to start.

The council has confirmed the clampdown will begin from Monday (Feb 10).

It comes following reports, including in the national press, that motorists were “ignoring” the ban when restrictions were first introduced.

The plethora of new signs are now hard to miss, however, and Southampton City Council said in a statement: “While many drivers are complying with the new restriction, the council has made the decision to introduce enforcement measures for the bus/taxi/cycle only section, as the monitoring has shown some continue to pass through during the restricted hours.”

It said that other schemes have shown compliance improves with camera enforcement.

Cabinet member for environment and transport Eamonn Keogh said: “We do appreciate that it takes time for people to get used to changes like the ones being trialled in Portswood and so we have allowed two weeks for drivers to adjust to the new restriction without taking any further action.

“From Monday 10 February, we will be issuing warning letters in the first instance to anyone who passes the new bus/taxi/cycle only restriction to ensure people are aware of the restriction and after that we will issue fines if individuals continue to pass the restriction despite having received the warning letter.”

Once enforcement starts, other than authorised vehicles, people who drive through the restriction will receive a warning notice, and on their second contravention they will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days).

“By restricting through traffic, the project aims to improve bus journey times and reliability, improve road safety and encourage people to spend more time and money in the District Centre,” the council has previously said about the trial.

It says it will be monitored against a list of objectives.