Traders selling vehicles from the side of Colchester's roads are to be targeted with tough new measures.

Councillors are seeking to introduce a sweeping new order which would leave vehicle sellers open to fines of £50.

The initiative comes after it was revealed around 100 complaints are made every year about roadside sales within the borough.

This week's meeting of Colchester Council's traffic management committee agreed to push for a control of roadside sales order to be introduced in various areas across the borough.

Councillors heard although vehicle sellers could currently be pursued through the magistrates or civil courts, such prosecutions were difficult to enforce.

They were told the new order would mean a notice could be served to someone selling a vehicle and if this was contravened, they would be automatically fined.

Under the order, a notice is served if a member of the public makes a complaint, leaving the seller with seven days to comply.

But a report to the committee said the programme would cost around £20,000, largely because an outside agency would need to enforce it.

It said: "It is anticipated a number of persons who sell from the highway make a living from doing so, and some if not many, may react aggressively or even violently to being served with a notice."

It added council staff should not be exposed to "the threat of violence or intimidation" and an external enforcement agency should serve the notices and give evidence in any resulting court cases.

The committee requested £20,000 from the council's planning and transportation committee and added if the grant was made, the measures would be introduced next year.

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