A CRACKDOWN on drivers who flout parking rules will come into force at the beginning of November.

Armed with portable electronic ticketing machines, a new team of attendants will be deployed throughout the area when Stroud District Council takes over responsibility for parking enforcement on November 5.

Dressed in a distinctive new uniform, which is to be unveiled shortly, the attendants will issue tickets for offences such as parking on yellow lines and unauthorised parking in residential zones.

Cllr Joe Forbes, SDC cabinet member for community safety, said: "We are aware that there has been disquiet among residents and traders about illegal parking and hope that the new enforcement arrangements will address their concerns."

The council's new powers have been handed over from the police, who will retain responsibility for dealing with dangerous parking and vehicles which cause an obstruction.

The district council, which will recruiting more wardens shortly, will be the main point of contact for all matters such as permit renewals, tickets and appeals.

Civil parking enforcement, which comes into force across the county, was due to commence on October 1.

But Gloucestershire County Council, the police and district councils made a joint decision to push back the start date after key staff were needed to deal with this summer's floods.

Cllr Stan Waddington, the county's cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are pleased that the police authority is funding traffic warden enforcement for a few more weeks so that we can get civil parking enforcement in place successfully."

Gloucestershire Highways contractors are completing a countywide programme remarking faded road lines and replacing damaged or missing parking signs.