It is amazing at times how long it takes the law to catch up.

The Oxford Transport Strategy was launched in 1999 and one of its key elements was a ban on traffic, except buses, taxis and licensed private hire vehicles, in High Street from 7.30am to 6.30pm.

Yet it is only now that laws are in place to enforce the ban.

A loophole meant that no action could be taken against anyone flouting the regulations.

For obvious reasons, the city and county councils did not advertise the fact that they were powerless to act against those driving through the bus gate.

But motorists soon got wind of it and took no notice of the ban.

A survey by Oxford Bus Company staff in 2004 revealed that about half the traffic in High Street was there illegally.

An Oxford Mail investigation last year put the figure at more than 200 vehicles an hour.

The closure of High Street, of course, means inconvenience to many drivers, forcing them to take a longer route.

But there are considerable benefits for the rest of the community - less congestion and pollution, a better environment for pedestrians and more reliable bus services.

The honeymoon for drivers in now over. From February 26, those who flout the ban will get a nasty shock - and not before time.