COUNCIL attempts to enforce a system of decriminalised parking could prove impossible because of the lack of traffic wardens and the number of motorists flouting parking laws.

Concerns over the planned takeover of traffic duties from police by the borough council have been voiced by Burnley councillor Roger Frost, executive member for environment, planning and transport.

He said the system of parking rules in the town was not working as it should and that the borough council could be left to pick up the pieces.

Council officials in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are currently in separate talks with Lancashire County Council about taking over traffic warden duties from police. That could mean employing their own traffic attendants, or private companies to do the work for them.

The change, which the authorities want to bring in as soon as possible, will make parking infringements a top priority in a bid to improve road safety and the environment. The timetable for introducing the scheme is April 2004.

However Coun Frost said he was worried about the proposals as they stood. He added: "Burnley Borough Council will have a role with regard to the management of the traffic wardens and I have been rather concerned about this because I don't want to take over a system which is clearly not working as it should.

"Some motorists are not respecting double yellow lines and it's my view this attitude has been getting worse in recent months.

"My concern is that, if the current situation continues, by the time Burnley Borough Council become responsible it could be that it may be difficult to enforce the system."

Coun Frost had held meetings with the police and had been assured that the problem of a lack of wardens would be addressed.

Police in the county now employ around 115 wardens to enforce traffic regulations along with officers, with fines going to central government funds. The wardens will need to be re-deployed to other duties. In 1998-99, 79,746 fixed penalty tickets were handed out to motorists across Lancashire, falling to 71,956 in 1999-2000.

Under the new system the county council would receive the money from fines which would then go into a pot from which the borough council could bid. All the money would be used for traffic-related schemes.

Lancashire police said they are still considering the proposals, first discussed two years ago. The plans will take the responsibility for wardens out of their hands and free up more of their resources, allowing them to tackle serious crime.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "It is true that ticketing vehicles will become the responsibility of local authorities in April 2004. Until that time, we are committed to ensuring that the people of Lancashire receive an effective service. Clearly if town centres are snarled up by illegally parked vehicles then the lives of the majority will be adversely affected."

Coun Frost outlined his concerns to fellow councillors at a meeting of the borough council last night.