Drivers caught breaking a turning ban at a busy Ealing junction will face a £110 fine from next week - following a 10-week trial.
Motorists were banned from turning right into Longfield Avenue from Uxbridge Road, and from turning left into Uxbridge Road from Longfield Avenue, from April 18 this year.
But it began with a 10-week "grace" period, whereby drivers were sent a warning for breaking the ban in an Ealing Council attempt to establish the rule with motorists.
Now anyone caught breaking the ban will face a penalty charge of £110 on Monday (July 4), reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days.
Labour Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: "We have given drivers 10 weeks grace to get used to the new restrictions.
"The number of drivers caught breaking the no-turn ban has fallen from an average of 27 per day in mid-April to an average of two per day currently meaning that the majority of motorists are getting the message.
"Drivers that insist on making illegal turns at this junction, despite the signs and the warnings given, will now be sent penalty charge notices".
Ealing Council said the move, which sparked controversy after motorists claimed the signage was poor, was made to boost safety.
It claimed there had been a "number of accidents" in the area which was not safe enough for pedestrians and cyclists.
The council also said the move would ease congestion in the area.
But motorists have been critical of the ban so far, claiming that the signs are not clear enough - a claim dispute by the council, who said they have placed multiple signs in the area.
Facebook user Marina Mallorquin said: "I suspect the incidents involving pedestrians were caused by the people glued to their phones and not paying attention to traffic which I witnessed constantly.
"The signs are really not that good. I suggest putting a large no left turn sign at the traffic lights in front of the town hall".
Conservative Cllr Seema Kumar, who represents the Ealing Broadway ward, criticised the move and said it had only served to make congestion worse.
She claims residents have been in touch to say Gordon Road, Spring Bridge Road, Dickens Yard and roads in Ealing Common have all seen an increase in traffic.
Cllr Kumar added: "I am strongly opposed to this because the council has not achieved what they said it would.
"It is only quieter round the little patch but it has created an enormous amount of congestion all the way from Ealing Common.
"People are still complaining. £110 is a lot of money and not many will know about it".
But Cllr Mahfouz said he did not have reason to believe congestion had increased in road elsewhere because of the ban - adding he would review it again in six months time.
