ROAD signs at the controversial bus gate leading into George Square are to be improved.

The move comes after the Evening Times revealed 28,000 drivers had been fined in nine weeks for going through the Nelson Mandela bus gate.

But a city businessman has repeated his calls for the new traffic restriction to be scrapped.

It bans cars from travelling through Nelson Mandela Place on to George Square. The gate operates 7am-7pm, seven days a week, with cameras in place to photograph drivers using the roads outwith this time.

Roads bosses say the move eases the flow of public transport and improves air quality, but many drivers say they failed to see signs warning them about the new restrictions.

Some have spotted the road markings so late they have opted to reverse out of the street rather than face a fine.

As a result, new signs are to be introduced.

A number of business bosses contacted Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to raise their concerns about the traffic measure. As a result, the business body has contacted its 1800 member organisations to canvass their views.

Donald Macleod, managing director of Holdfast Entertainment, which owns a number of nightclubs, including the Garage, wants the bus gate scrapped.

He said: "Improving road markings may stop people going in, but in my view it shouldn't be there in the first place.

"The bus gate will still catch people out and will still raise money for the council. It is a joke."

Drivers who breach the rules are fined £60, which is reduced to £30 if they pay within two weeks.

The city council insists the bus gate will remain in place but that road markings will be improved,

A spokesman said: "We routinely monitor the effectiveness of our signage to see if improvements can be implemented.

"To further assist drivers, we will be implementing red screed, signposting 'bus lane ahead', in two places on the West George Street approach to the bus gate.

"West Nile Street will also carry road text in both directions advising of the bus gate.

"This will be in addition to seven permanent signs advising the gate is operational.

"These signs have been in place since the beginning of June and are on Hope Street, West George Street, West Nile Street and at Nelson Mandela Place."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk