POLICE Scotland will impose £50 fines on any motorist who uses lanes in Glasgow designated for the use of Commonwealth Games athletes, officials and sponsors.

Cars parked on the routes will be towed away and released upon payment of £150.

For a month from July 8, congestion is expected to be particularly heavy at the Stobcross off-ramp of the M8 and the Finnieston Street off-ramp of the Clydeside Expressway, which will be closed to all but Games traffic.

Glasgow 2014 says the Games lanes are required to ensure it can meet targets that 90 per cent of competitors' journeys - from the Athletes Village in Dalmarnock to their venues - last no longer than 20 minutes. They believe 50 per cent of athletes' journey times will be under 10 minutes.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists described the measures as "Draconian."

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the institute, said: "The Games lanes measures are Draconian but perhaps you need that if your aim is to scare people from using their car."

A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said the lanes are only in a limited number of places.

At the London Olympics in 2012, income of £310,000 was generated from games lanes fines.

Currently, motorists in Glasgow illegally entering a bus lane face a fine of £60, although this is reduced to £30 if paid within two weeks.