Q: WHEN is a traffic warden not a traffic warden?
A: When he or she is a civil enforcement officer, of course.

Worcester's parking attendants have been given the a name - along with a new badge for their uniform and handheld computers - as part of changes to the way minor traffic offences are punished.

Some might ask, what's in a name? In fact, the new system could eventually see Worcester's parking attendants, sorry - civil enforcement officers, handed much wider powers to deal with people who flout traffic laws by driving in bus lanes, parking across dropped pathways and obstructing yellow boxes.

The name change, which is part of a Traffic Management Act coming into force on March 31, was discussed at a meeting of Worcester City Council's cabinet on Tuesday, February 20.

Councillors also chose a higher rate of penalties for traffic offences so drivers will now pay £50, discounted to £25 for early payment, for offences committed in car parks or £70, discounted to £35, for more serious on-street parking infringments such as parking by a school.

Previously, Worcester's penalties were set a single rate of £60, reduced to £30, wherever the offence took place.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor David Tibbutt said: "It's not of our making, the name change comes in the Act.

"It gives a little bit more punch to call them enforcement. I'm not too fussed by it.

"We won't be wasting money on it, they have just got to have new lapels on their uniforms."

As previously reported in your Worcester News, a roving hit squad of civil enforcement officers will initially crack down on parking offences across the entire city rather than just in the city centre.

The new system will cost £150,000 over five to ten years but councillors believe the system will eventually pay for itself.

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