Civil parking enforcement in the former Vale Royal area is now the responsibility of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Powers were transferred this week from the Police to the Council after the Department for Transport approved the move earlier this year.

Council Enforcement Officers will carry out regular patrols to ensure that motorists comply with parking restrictions.

This will involve enforcement on the street - for example, of loading restrictions - and in Council operated public car parks, for example, to ensure disabled bays are not abused.

For the first six weeks, officers will issue only warning notices to vehicles parked in breach of regulations in order to raise awareness of existing parking restrictions.

Councillor Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Localities, said: “Motorists who park legally and considerately have nothing to fear from this change. The only difference they can expect is clearer, safer roads.

“The transfer of power from the Police to the Council will mean that the former Vale Royal area can benefit from an effective enforcement programme which is already in place in the Chester and Ellesmere Port and Neston areas.

“This transfer will also free up Police time to focus on fighting crime and at the same time allows the Council to respond to the parking needs and concerns of the local community.”

The majority of parking enforcement across the UK is now the responsibility of local councils rather than the Police. This change has been as a result of the Police’s need to spend more time on other priorities.

By transferring powers, local councils are better able to respond to local needs and the parking concerns of the community.

The Police retain some powers, for example, to tackle dangerous parking and to enforce temporary waiting restrictions marked by ‘Police No Waiting’ cones at special events. They will also still be able to tackle obstruction offences and parking on zig zag markings at pedestrian crossings.

Existing parking restrictions will not change as a result of civil parking enforcement.

Some signs and lines have been refreshed to ensure that they are clearly visible. In some cases, signs have been added to Council-operated public car park to remind motorists of existing restrictions.

Further information about parking enforcement is available at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/parking