MORE than 60 motorists were caught in a crackdown on illegal parking in Bolton town centre last night - just a week after 73 were handed fixed penalties.

A team of traffic wardens, traffic police and beat bobbies carried out the latest blitz on drivers blatantly ignoring double yellow lines and other waiting restrictions.

Today, traffic police vowed to continue the campaign until motorists get the message.

Sgt Jim Unsworth of Bolton traffic unit said: "Clearly many motorists did not take the message on board from the first operation.

"For 61 to still be found showing a blatant disregard for the waiting restrictions is very disappointing."

He added: "We will continue to tackle this issue until people change their behaviour. "In areas of the town centre where there is a high volume of pedestrians it is particularly dangerous to have vehicles parked at the side of the road obscuring them from view as they step out." As reported in the BEN, the crackdown was launched in response to concerns about a growing number of accidents on the main routes in the town centre.

Persistent offenders have already been advised both verbally and in writing before the tickets blitz began.

Vehicles issued with £20 fixed penalties last night included private hire taxis and cars stopped illegally outside fast food take-aways. Police have vowed to closely monitor the situation in key locations, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

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