MOTORISTS have been fined more than £14,000 in just 12 hours after hundreds were caught driving through a controversial bus gate.

Drivers were caught following the introduction of a bus gate near George Square in Glasgow, installed to cut traffic in the area.

Cameras snapped motorists ignoring the car ban and driving through the gate.

The ban came into effect on Monday and in the first 12 hours 474 rogue drivers were caught on camera.

It is potentially worth £14,220 in fines to council bosses if the penalties are all paid in the next two weeks.

Dozens of other motorists are thought to have been caught since after ignoring the bus gate, which has been installed at the junction of Nelson Mandela Place and West Nile Street.

Only buses, taxis, private cabs and cyclists are exempt from the ban.

Up to 800 buses use the junction every weekday and the car ban aims to help improve the reliability of bus services.

The gate, along with warning signs and lights, was set up last month but road chiefs decided to delay the ban to give motorists time to find alternative routes.

But the ban came into force this week.

A council spokesman warned: "There are very clear and constant reminders of the law in the form of signage and road markings at, and on the approaches to, the bus gate.

"Bus lane and gate enforcement in the city is improving the flow of traffic on congested stretches as well as improving the reliability of bus journeys.

"By improving the public transport network we're working to encourage people to use more environmental forms of transport and reduce Glasgow's CO2 emissions."

Motorists caught on camera run the risk of a £60 penalty, halved if the fine is paid within 14 days.