COUNCIL bosses in Sheffield have begun enforcement of Hillsborough tramgates once again but won't fine motorists for the first two months.
Enforcement of the tramgates was suspended for several months after a traffic watchdog ruled the signs weren't clear enough to warn motorists of the restrictions ahead.
Council chiefs have agreed to hand back hundreds of thousands of pounds colle
cted in fines over a year and have made changes to the signage to comply with regulations.
Drivers who flout the restrictions will be sent warning letters outlining the restrictions but the council won't start fining people until September 15.
Town Hall bosses say the move is an attempt to take on board motorists' comments and to be fairer and more consistent when enforcing bus and tramgates.
To make sure all motorists know the restrictions they say any gate or lane enforced by cameras will have an initial period of two months where warning notices rather than fines are issued.
Coun Ian Auckland, the council's cabinet member for sustainable development and transport, said: "Now that the whole Hillsborough saga is over we have started enforcing the bus and tramgate again.
"During the first two months we are warning motorists that they have committed an offence, so that they have a chance to change their route accordingly rather than face a fine.
"We have decided to roll out this approach to the Wicker, Bridge Street and Castlegate Bus Lane where camera enforcement is also in place.
"We don't want to make money out of an unsuspecting motorist; we want the city's highway network to work to its full potential."
The full article contains 271 words and appears in Sheffield Telegraph newspaper.
