THURROCK Council has been busy this week letting residents know that from April parking in the borough will be under their control.

Posters have been put up across the borough warning residents that as part of the Decriminalisation Bill, the police will hand over control of parking enforcement to the council.

The expected knock-on effect of this hand over will see numerous more parking wardens placed on the borough's streets.

Currently Thurrock has just one traffic warden, who is responsible for preventing parking infringements right across the borough -- but that number could rise to 20.

The Gazette understands that the council's new partner, Vertex, will push through the plans to get more wardens on the street when it begins its contract in April.

Thurrock Council say there has been no decision made on the number of traffic wardens needed and are in discussions with Vertex about the issue.

The posters inform residents that from April the council will be taking over all responsibilities of on and off street parking from the police.

Objections to the plans are to be forward to the council by the second week of March.