THE introduction of six new traffic wardens for the streets of Worcester could be a double-edged sword.

Some areas away from the city centre certainly do need addressing in terms of illegal parking because it's no joke when you can't park anywhere near your own home.

A clamp-down on illegal parking outside city schools is also a priority, because parents flouting the law at dropping-off and collection times pose a major danger to children and other road users, although many are in too much of a hurry to care.

So, with those things and parking around the hospital in mind, this is a welcome development.

But the city council's hit-squad needs to have an oft-sympathetic agenda and bear in mind the problems which could develop as a result of trigger-happy ticketing.

The public is already wary of traffic wardens and the alleged money-making tactics of some councils.

So they need to tread carefully without issuing fines left, right and centre for spurious, borderline or arguable cases.

That kind of thing will do the reputation of the clampdown no good whatsoever.

And when it comes to small traders in places like St John's, they will also have to think about the damage that can be done if customers are scared off by heavy-handedness in areas where there is little specific parking provision.

Despite the council's good intentions, it could oh-so-easily backfire. It will be interesting to see what happens.