Motorists who drive into a new no-go zone on Oxford Road will NOT be fined until the end of July - while the council improves signage.
The first section of a ‘Dutch-style boulevard’ is now in place.
It means all vehicles except black cabs, buses, cyclists and emergency services are banned from the stretch between Hathersage Road and Denmark Road from 6am to 9pm.
Initially, a two week ‘grace period’ was due to end on Thursday, triggering £60 fines for drivers who flaunted the ban.
But the council has confirmed this phase has been extended, with a promise not to issue fines or warnings until ‘the end of July’.
Coun Kate Chappell, executive member for environment, said they had been monitoring the scheme, adding: “As is normal practice, there has been a grace period when we have only been issuing warning notices while people get used to the changes.
"While the signage and road markings are legally enforcable, on consideration we have decided that we can do more to make the road markings and signage even clearer and we will be carrying out this work during July.
"We will not resume issuing warnings, and then introducing full enforcement, until after these improvements have been made.”
The council said that drivers should still heed the zone - which means they have to turn right on to Hathersage Road and then on to Upper Brook Street.
Eventually, the section will be extended to run between Hathersage Road and Grosvenor Street.
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The future of Oxford Road
Aimed at making bus journeys into town faster, it’s already proven controversial with some drivers.
David Fox said: “I don’t think the signs are clear enough.
“There are cameras and a ‘no vehicle’ sign but many who are unaware of the sign’s meaning many not know this and get a fine.
“If you are driving from a side street on to Oxford Street the signage is inadequate. It’s also causing traffic jams.”
The M.E.N has also received calls from private hire drivers complaining about the new set-up.
Howard Hartley, TfGM head of bus and rail, said bus lanes needed to be as traffic-free as possible to work efficiently, especially during peak times.
Opening up the lanes to private hire vehicles, he said, would increase congestion and hit bus punctuality.
Watch: A 'fly-through' down the Oxford Road bus priority lane
He said the restrictions were not 24-hour to help the city’s vibrant night-time economy, with all vehicles able to travel in the zone from 9pm to 6am.
He added: “We would advise anyone who regularly drives along Oxford Road to familiarise themselves with the new change and the hours of operation.”
The works are part of a £1bn investment in city centre infrastructure up to 2017, including Metrolink’s Second City Crossing.
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