FINES have been issued for the first time to motorists breaking an experimental driving ban in Queensfield.

A 12-month traffic order preventing motorists from turning into Queensfield from Cricklade Road between 7.30am and 9.30am Monday to Friday and turning out of Queensfield on to Cricklade Road between Monday to Friday started on February 20.

Yesterday, police were out in force where Queensfield meets Cricklade Road to hand out £30 fines and divert drivers back through the estate.

PC Frank Key said: “It is a £30 non-endorsable ticket for contravening a traffic order. It has been running since the beginning of February so they have had a good couple of months’ grace. Now we are stepping it up a bit. We will do it again as and when we are able to.”

PC Key said he had been on the scene several times to turn motorists around but this was the first time fines had been given.

“There are different views that people have in relation to the scheme but as a police service we are here to enforce the law and it is in place at the moment so people have to respect that.

“If they breach it they can expect to suffer the consequences. There are plenty of warning signs leading up to it.”

About 10 motorists were fined within the first half an hour of the police operation.

Earlier this week, the Adver reported that the council had decided to keep the ban in place until at least July despite a petition from nearby residents to stop it.

But another group of residents living on the affected route, who have signed a petition supporting the ban, say they want it to stay because it has made living in the estate better.

Coun Joe Tray (Lab, St Philip) said: “The restrictions have been met with mixed reactions, those in support and those in opposition. As the elected representative for this ward, I have listened to residents who have had no action for years on the traffic issues.

“I would ask all residents give support to this six month experimental trial period as many have had to put up with the volume of traffic for years.

“Following this live consultation there will be a decision made based on the views of those living in the estate whether it will continue or not.

“I still feel that there are viable alternatives to the restriction and believe the council should invest in these alternatives now to improve our road infrastructure for the whole of the north east of Swindon.”