WAR has been declared on motorists in Trowbridge who flout parking restrictions and block up town centre routes.

The completion of a £200,000 revamp of Silver Street will help police clamp down on motorists parking illegally.

Town councillor Steve Squires said motorists are showing police "a lack of respect" by parking on double yellow lines throughout the town centre, including outside the makeshift police station in Wicker Hill.

Confusion reigns over which markings in the town are legally enforceable with motorists taking advantage of the problem.

Double yellow lines have to be continuous with a start and end point to become legal, with restriction signs at regular intervals.

Cllr Squires said: "I am hoping we will get to see active enforcement in Silver Street now the work is complete.

"It is a small thing to ask of the police.

"In other parts of the town there is a lack of respect for the police in the way people are parking. It is blatant.

"If the people are looking at the police that way what else are they thinking?"

Town development manager Daryl Saville-Brown said she wants to see motorists, including delivery drivers, respecting the restrictions in Silver Street now work is complete.

Mrs Saville-Brown has been waging a one-woman campaign to name and shame delivery drivers who break the law taking pictures of company vehicles mounting pavements and stopping on yellow lines.

The photos are then posted to the company headquarters for bosses to take action.

Mrs Saville-Brown said: "Why should we let these drivers batter our town centre to pieces? The improvements in Silver Street are really good for Trowbridge.

"At least the lines in Silver Street will mean police can act against motorists breaking the law.

"I would like a report of what lines in the town centre are enforceable. We can then target areas which need looking at."

Sgt Richard Goodman of Trowbridge police said officers would be able to start enforcing restrictions in Silver Street with motorists who flout the law in line for a fine.

Parking offences are due to be decriminalised in the autumn with West Wiltshire District Council expected to take over enforcement in September, bringing about the return of full-time traffic wardens.

A similar project, funded by Local Transport Plan money, is set to begin on Market Street and Castle Street after the three-day West Wilts Show this weekend.