Motorists are being warned that Maldon streets will be blitzed by parking attendants on bank holidays.

Warning notices were issued to unsuspecting motorists who were parked on yellow lines outside their homes on the late May Bank Holiday Monday

They have been told by Maldon District Council's community services manager, John Hughes, they will get the real thing if they do the same on the August Bank Holiday.

The district council promised the clamp down when its parking attendants took over responsibility for parking enforcements in the district in April.

Motorists who are caught parking illegally are now faced with a £60 penalty charge, which is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Mr Hughes said: "On this occasion we have given warning notices rather than penalty charges."

He explained that signs on the affected roads say there is no waiting allowed Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm. The signs do not say "except bank holiday Mondays", he says, so it is clear to motorists that they cannot park there then.

Town councillor Stephen Savage has slammed the move, saying when residents cannot park outside their homes they are forced to take up spaces in the town's car parks which would be better used by tourists.

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003

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