NEWPORT drivers are continuing to be educated on the new city centre parking restrictions as officers patrol the area.

Following the announcement last week Gwent Police officers are continuing to carry out the ‘education phase’ of the campaign, which aims to prevent illegal parking around the city centre.

The first two weeks of the crackdown, starting which started on May 21, are educational, with officers handing out leaflets handed out indicating the public car parks that are available and patrolling the target areas.

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

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

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.

Michael Turner, from Turners Butchers & Sons in Newport market, says the clampdown will result in an increase in the already overcrowded city car parks.

“It’s going to hit us hard,” he said.

“People would just nip out and get stuff [before] but when they do clamp down they can't are not going to be able to just pop in.”

Jon Powell, of The Newsagent in the market, agreed the restriction may have a negative impact on his business.

“A few people are taking notice of it and not parking in the street,” he said. “I know the free for all doesn’t work but I think they should implement changes to park for a limited period so people can pop in the market.”

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

To report illegal parking, call 101.