Drivers parking on double yellow lines in a south Shropshire town could be hit with a hefty fine and points on their licence, police warned today.

Constable Sean Bailey said he was growing more and more concerned that motorists in Church Stretton were parking illegally at junctions, on double yellow lines and in disabled bays.

He said: “It has got to the stage where it is ridiculous. They are causing an obstruction and there are ways for the police to deal with them by way of a £60 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points.

“People are parking on junctions, on pavements and double parking. I have even seen people on mobility scooters having to go out on to the road because the pavement is blocked.”

Constable Bailey said although he had allowed some flexibility before, he would now take action.

“It seems to be getting worse, people are literally parking anywhere,” he said.

“It is something we need to bring to a head. I have not really clamped down on it before and people have started taking it for granted and take absolutely no notice whatsoever.”

Jane van Doesburg, chairman of the chamber of trade, agreed illegal parking can cause problems in the town.

She said: “When people park selfishly it can cause a problem. It is really important that people do park sensibly for their own sake and think of other drivers and pedestrians.

“I think Stretton has always had a bit of a history of people parking as and when. It would be a shame to lose that but at the same time we don’t want to be overly policed.”

The police in Church Stretton hold regular Pact meetings at the Silvester Horne Institute from 7pm. The next is on June 15.