Transport for London is enforcing fines of up to £195 for u-turns at a busy Goodmayes junction to improve safety for pedestrians.
The move has provoked anger from drivers, who say the junction of Eastern Avenue, Barley Lane and Hainault Road is not adequately signposted.
Cars frequently turn from the westbound to eastbound carriageways of the A12 at the junction to avoid travelling to a roundabout or using side roads.
Kerry Cohen, who works at Woodcraft Ltd in Eastern Avenue, said she had received a warning notice after being caught doing the turn on CCTV.
She added: “It’s going to cause total chaos forcing traffic down residential roads and we can’t see the logic.”
Miss Cohen said her father has been fined £130 by TfL for failing to follow the blue right turn sign at the junction.
She added: “He turned right – he just turned right again.”
Jane Mortimer, of Brian Road, said: “They shouldn’t issue fines based on unclear signposts, there are no u-turn signs further down the road so it could be consistent at least.”
Fines are halved if paid within two weeks but can rise to £195 if not paid within 28 days.
A TfL spokesman said the right turn arrows “highlighted” a ban on u-turns in place since the 80s but that new signs would be considered if needed.
He added: “Following recent safety concerns by pedestrians wishing to cross at this location, TfL has now started to enforce this ban through CCTV to help minimise the risk of collisions.”
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