Coundown over increased parking charges in Bognor

July 5 will see a new team replace the town centre's traffic wardens.

Their role will be taken over by civil parking enforcement officers employed by Arun District Council.

The 14 officers will enforce all on-street parking restrictions, including loading and limited waiting periods, throughout the district.

At present, the five-and-a-half full-time equivalent wardens patrol only the controlled parking zone around Bognor town centre.

Paul Wotherspoon, Arun's councillor in charge of environment services, said: "The changes will, hopefully, mean much clearer and safer streets, reduced congestion and a more efficient operation combining on and off-street parking enforcement.

"We often see people parking on double yellow lines or blocking streets.

"This can lead to accidents, especially where there are schools or large developments.

"It can also cause congestion, delaying not only traffic, but also blocking access for emergency vehicles.

"The new system gives us a chance to help improve road safety and reduce these problems."

The enforcement officers will issue 50 and 70 penalty charge notices to motorists who break the parking regulations.

The amount will depend on the severity of the offence.

A 50 per cent discount will apply to payment within 14 days.

Any surplus money will be retained, rather than go to the government as previously, and go towards local transport improvements.

Gill Brown, the council's leader, said: "Illegal and inconsiderate parking is a problem.

"Adopting civil parking enforcement means we now have an effective way of dealing with it."