Motorists are being warned to stop using busy Market Street in Bradford city centre or risk being fined.

Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police are working together to stop people illegally driving along the busy street which has restricted access for vehicles.

It is only open to buses, taxis, and cars with a legitimate reason for being there - such as access only.

Many drivers ignore the signs at both ends of the road and also turn right into it off Bank Street, using it as a short cut to the city centre.

More than 100 tickets have already been issued and a number of cars confiscated for not being insured after police carried out vehicle checks in Market Street over the last four weeks.

The move is being supported by the Council's Transport Planning Department, as the increased number of vehicles on this street is making it difficult for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to cross the road.

Buses are also experiencing long delays because the extra cars are stopping them from overtaking.

The police will continue to carry out spot checks on Market Street, so motorists risk further fines if they continue to use this street illegally.

A survey carried out by the Council earlier this year revealed 227 vehicles using the road as a through route in a two-hour period and 23 were using the bus lane illegally.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for environment and culture, said: "In the run up to Christmas there is even more traffic in the city centre, so it is important that everyone is considerate.

"This means staying off Market Street so that the buses, taxis and those who are there legitimately can move freely."

Sergeant Hugh Robinson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Market Street is only meant to be used by buses, taxis and cars with a legitimate reason. It is not a short cut to get into the city centre and those who ignore this will be fined."

The crackdown comes as motorists who wrongly use bus lanes are being targeted over the festive period. The annual campaign by Metro, the police and the Council will continue through to January. The lanes, which can also be used by taxis and cyclists, are designed to improve the flow of buses and enable them to skip congested stretches of the road.

Inconsiderate car drivers who block these lanes can cancel out the advantages they provide, say transport chiefs.

This is the fourth year that Metro and its partners have run this scheme and last year nearly 1,900 offences were detected, which also included people who were driving while disqualified or without insurance.

More than 100 tickets were issued to drivers in only four hours during two separate crackdowns in Manningham Lane last January.

e-mail: jo.winrow @bradford.newsquest.co.uk