PLANS to allow councils to fine motorists £130 for parking in cycle lanes have been welcomed in Worcester – with bosses saying they find the illegal parkers “immensely frustrating”.

The Government is considering handing town halls the ability to punish drivers who flout the rules when it comes to bicycle users.

Under the scheme, councils would be able to use CCTV cameras to fine them for parking in a cycle lane marked by a white line or blocking a junction marked by a yellow box.

At the moment, despite it being against the law only police officers and community support officers can hand out the fines.

But the Government is talking to the Local Government Association (LGA) about extending it to local authorities.

Councillor Francis Lankester, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: “When motorists break the law this way the traffic wardens have no powers.

“A driver may be parked clearly in defiance of the law but residents still have to call the police, it can be immensely frustrating for them.

“I go to community meetings and obstructive parking can be a real issue. These obstructions against cyclists are dangerous and I think it’s a good idea.”

Last year, the Government trialled the scheme in London, which led to a 50 per cent reduction in recorded offences. The LGA said it would “ease congestion, lower pollution, make roads safer and protect cyclists” if rolled out nationwide.

Worcestershire County Council welcomed the proposal. Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We’d have no problem with the LGA and Government looking at this.

“Although we would have access to CCTV we have not got the people on the ground to make it work though, so it would have to be enforced at a district level.”

The Department for Transport confirmed it was “gathering evidence” into how it could work across the country and would issue a report on it by the autumn, while motoring groups will also be consulted.