Traffic wardens with police guards could be used in a late-night crackdown on illegal parking in Colchester town centre.

The move would see wardens with police escorts patrolling into the early hours.

Colchester Council says illegally parked cars are blocking buses and taxis in High Street. Councillors claim the jams add to problems emptying clubbers from the town centre after kicking-out time.

Now rogue drivers could face a late-night parking blitz. Councillor Paul Smith said tickets dished out by patrols would cover overtime costs.

"I saw several hundred pounds in parking fines in the High Street," he told a meeting last night.

"Once word gets round that the council is doing this, it would take a brave person to risk a £30 fine."

Published Thursday, September 2, 2004

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