DRIVERS have been given a week's reprieve from Glasgow's first super spy camera.

The camera was due to go live today in Scotstounhill as part of a crackdown on motorists using bus lanes illegally.

However Glasgow City Council said a technical problem will delay its launch by a week.

The device has been installed in Dumbarton Road, east of Burnham Road, and will operate 24 hours a day. It is the first of five new cameras to be introduced.

The new devices are capable of catching 50-times as many motorists driving illegally as standard road traffic cameras.

On Thursday, we revealed the locations of the other four cameras.

One will be in Pollokshaws Road, at Titwood Road, and operate 24 hours a day.

Two will operate between 7am and 9.30am and 4pm and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, in Great Western Road and St Vincent Street, and a third, will be in Stockwell Street, at Victoria Bridge. It will also operate 24 hours a day.

Councillor Alistair Watson, executive member of Land and Environmental Services, said: "Over the last year we have seen civil enforcement help lower the number of offences in Glasgow.

"It has been reassuring to see a massive drop -more than 50% - in the number of offences detected this year.

"I would hope this will continue as people get used to the Dumbarton Road bus lane camera."

Motorists are liable to pay £60 if the number-plate recognition cameras snap them using bus lanes during restricted hours, with the fine reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Manufacturer Zenco, based in London, said Glasgow is the only Scottish council to purchase the ZenGrab LaneWatch Mk2 cameras, which cost £17,000 each. The authority already uses 11 ZenGrab Mk1 cameras in and around the city centre.

Recent controversial cases, such as a motorist who was fined when she pulled into a bus lane to let a fire engine pass, have led to criticism.

But First Glasgow operations director John Cahill said the bus lanes are "crucial". He added: "Ensuring that other motorists don't abuse bus lanes is important in providing great service for our customers."

Earlier this year, it was revealed the city council had generated an average of £11,000 a day in fines since the cameras launched in April 2012.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk