DRIVERS will have their parking tickets issued by Worcester City Council from February, it was announced today.

The city, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, is one of 50 local authorities outside London to take over responsibility for on-street parking from the police.

At present, responsibility is split between the police, who deal with on-street offences, and the city, which deals with car parks.

Under the new system, the council will be able to use cash collected from parking tickets to cover the enforcement and administration costs of the scheme.

At the moment, the money goes straight to central Government.

City council parking manager Paul Kyte said police could concentrate on crime detection and road safety while a new team of traffic wardens would patrol streets and parking schemes.

This, it is hoped, will cut the illegal parking blighting residential areas of Worcester.

"The move is good news for the majority of law-abiding motorists," he said.

Traffic flow

"The primary aims are to enable the introduction of further residents' parking schemes, improve traffic flow and safety by reducing obstructive and dangerous parking and improve turnover in restricted spaces which are currently abused.

"I hope everyone will notice a change for the better."