A COUNCIL is raking in £100,000 a week by catching out thousands of drivers with a new traffic enforcement camera.

Hackney Council banned motorists turning left at a junction in the East London borough during certain times of the day, with fines dished out to those who fall foul of the new rules.

4 The 'no left turn' sign that has caught out thousands of motorists

Between 7am-10am and 3pm-7pm drivers cannot turn left from Mare Street onto Richmond Road to reduce pollution at a nearby school.

But drivers have complained 'poor signage' and a lack of warning about the new restrictions have unfairly hit them in the pockets.

The council has already dished out more than 14,000 fines since the restrictions were introduced in June, the Hackney Gazette reports.

The fine is £65 if paid within two weeks and doubles after that - with drivers told they could face court action if they fail to pay within a month.

4 Drivers are banned from turning left onto Richmond Road from Mare Street at certain times of day Credit: Google maps

4 Drivers claim poor signage has forced them into making the costly left turn Credit: Google maps

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "The number of fines being given to drivers at this junction suggests something is wrong - and it might well be that the sheer amount of signage and a difficult road layout is to blame.

"The sign is immediately past a busy pedestrian crossing and between two sections of bus lane on Mare Street.

"A driver would have just moments to read all the traffic signs and decide whether they were permitted to turn left.

"And unlike on a straight section of road, they would have no opportunity to correct the manoeuvre if they then realised their mistake."

4 Credit: Twitter

"A review of all the street signage around the junction would also be very welcome."

The fines have sparked outrage among drivers on social media.

Writing on Twitter, Trajon2000 said: "Councillors will be giving themselves a big pat on the back for that, oh and a big payrise.

"Just a thought here, if they put more of these signs around the borough to catch people out, could we have a council tax reduction please."

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A Council spokesperson said: “The changes to this junction are part of our pioneering school streets initiative which is improving air quality and making it easier and safer for families to walk and cycle to and from school.

“The notices already meet all Department for Transport requirements, and we have now added additional signage to ensure all drivers comply and help make our children’s school journeys healthier.

“While it is the responsibility of drivers to read this signage and adhere to the road closures, we will of course listen to representations where a driver feels that a fine has been issued unfairly or received multiple fines during a short period.”

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