NEW parking restrictions are being enforced in the Newport city centre as part of a campaign to crackdown on illegal parking.

Gwent Police were out in force in the city centre yesterday handing out leaflets to motorists and advising them of the restrictions.

The joint operation with Newport City Council was launched following reports of drivers parking in the pedestrianized zone, parking on double yellow lines and parking in taxi areas or disabled spaces.

During the first two weeks of the operation, officers will be educating drivers about where they can park and how they can park legally.

Leaflets will be given to drivers to indicate the public car parks that are available throughout the city centre.

Officers will also be liaising with shop owners and traders, asking them to help by parking their vehicles legally and informing their customers on the parking initiative and where parking is available in the city centre.

But some traders are unhappy with the changes, fearing it will lead to a loss of customers.

Tracey Phillips, owner of the Curtain Company on Newport High Street, said: “They do everything to stop customers coming in. It drives us bonkers. It makes you wonder what they are going to do next.”

Jon Powell, who runs @ The Newsagent, said: “I thought it was good when they stopped restricting it. But unfortunately people are abusing it. So yes, obviously it has to be enforced.

“What ideally I would like to see is something more progressive. I’d like to see some kind of scheme. If you had a badge or disabled badge saying “I’m shopping locally” that would be an ideal situation. It would enforce the same thing while supporting the traders."

Gwent Police and Newport City Council are looking at longer term measures to alleviate parking problems in the future.

Following this education phase, from June 4 officers will be giving out fixed penalty fines of up to £100 to drivers seen parking their vehicles illegally.

Inspector Richie Blakemore explained: “We want to remind all drivers to park legally for the safety of everyone using the city centre.

“The first week gives drivers the chance to understand where they can park and speak to us with any queries they have.

“There is adequate car parking provision in the town centre which motorists should be using when leaving their cars.

“During the second week, we will be giving out fines to tackle those drivers that continue to park illegally, despite our warnings.

“We don’t want to give out fines however unfortunately for the safety of everyone using the city centre, they are necessary for persistent offenders.”

Councillor Deb Davies, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for streetscene and city services, said: “It is important that we all work together to ensure that the city centre is a safe and attractive place to visit and I am certain that everyone agrees that illegal parking is dangerous for pedestrians and the obstruction to bus routes can be a real nuisance.”

Rogerstone Labour councillor Chris Evans backed the new measures.

“I [am] a big supporter of the barriers coming down in our city centre.

“Not only does it save tens of thousands of pounds, it allows traffic to flow freely, helping create a bustling atmosphere.

“I agree with the ‘education’ idea for the first few weeks, but, I will be suggesting that we look at a ‘parking voucher scheme’ to allow people to park up, sensibly, for half an hour or so to pop to our market quarter.”

For more information call Newport officers on 01633 245289 or contact Newport City Council by calling 01633 656656.

To report illegal parking, call 101.