Councillors have demanded a clampdown on cyclists who "blatantly disregard" signs and ride illegally in pedestrianised areas of Kingston.

The problem of cyclists using Clarence Street was raised at a Kingston town centre management meeting on December 7 and it was said that despite a two week police operation between November 12 and 25, where 160 people were stopped and warned about cycling in the area, no-one was fined.

Kingston council confirmed that signs in Clarence Street have been updated which clearly states cycling is not permitted and cyclists risk a £500 fine.

Legislation states that because Clarence Street is not classed as having a pavement, only police officers can enforce moving vehicle traffic offences because fixed penalty notices for cycling on a footway, which can be issued by police community support officers, do not apply.

Conservative councillor Dennis Doe said measures to curb cyclists in Clarence Street needed to be "tougher".

"We need to be a lot harder with cyclists in Clarence and Castle Street. The signs are there and cyclists should be fined. It is the only way to demonstrate to the public that we are serious about this," he said.

"It is easy for people to say they didn't see the signs but if you park where you shouldn't park you will get a ticket and saying you didn't see the signs is not much of an excuse."

Grove Ward councillor Chrissie Hitchcock has been campaigning on the issue for two years.

"Quite simply, the signs need to be enforced," she said.

"It's going back to basics - it is in the highway code that you can't cycle on the pavement or in pedestrian areas.

"We want to encourage cycling but we want to encourage responsible cycling."

A council spokesman said they will monitor how successful the current signage and enforcement is and said they remain "open minded" making any necessary changes to the signs.

He said: "Cycling is not permitted in Clarence Street and it is dangerous for people to do so.

"There is clear signing in place to advise cyclists of the restriction and all parties in Kingston would ask cyclists to heed the signs and use dedicated cycle routes in the town centre."

Acting Chief Inspector Richard Dean, of Kingston police, said fining cyclists in isolation without educating them would not work.

"We did conduct an evaluation process where number of cyclists were stopped and advised regarding Clarence Street being a pedestrianised zone," he said.

"I am looking at ways of working together with partners to explore avenues to educate cyclists regarding their responsibilities, and to make them aware of the dangers of cycling in an area populated by a great number of pedestrians."