A NEW regime for enforcing parking restrictions comes into force in Sunderland next month.

From Monday, police wardens will be replaced by those from National Car Parks, which has won the contract from Sunderland City Council to enforce parking in the city.

Notices have been placed on illegally parked cars, telling drivers about the new system.

Parking enforcement was a police duty but less money has been allocated to it according to the council.

The council says that benefits of the change will include improved road safety, safer and more sensible parking, reduced congestion, more effective bus and cycle lanes, and discouraging able-bodied parking in disabled bays.

Andy Morris, the head of transport and engineering, said: "Illegal parking creates hazards and inconvenience to a large number of people and can be a particular problem when this affects emergency service vehicle access."

The scheme is expected to fund itself from the tickets wardens issue.

Penalty charges will stay the same but from Monday, the ticket will be called a penalty charge notice.

The charge is £60 for a notice, or £30 if it is paid within 14 days.