Bradford’s parking officers are set to gain extra powers enabling them to hand out fines to motorists driving or parking in bus lanes.

Dozens of officers em-ployed by Bradford Council took over the job of traffic wardens from the police in March.

Since then the civil enforcement officers have been patrolling the district’s streets issuing tickets of up to £70 to motorists flouting the parking rules.

At the moment officers can only catch out vehicles parked against traffic regulations. So the Council can only hand out fines to those in bus lanes who park, despite there being double yellow lines or loading bays.

It is currently up to the police to ticket any motorist driving in a bus lane or parking in one where no other restrictions exist.

But it is hoped that these powers will be extended shortly to allow Council staff to cover all bus lane infringements.

Council parking services manager Paul Ratcliffe said: “At present only the police can issue tickets to motorists for driving in or obstructing a bus lane.

“Once new laws are provided by the Government, Bradford Council’s civil enforcement officers will be able to do this. As soon as the Government completes the legal process, we will be able to take action.”

In addition the Council is currently running camera trials on bus lanes in Market Street and Nelson Street in the city centre. If successful it is expected that these cameras will be extended to other locations in a bid to reduce traffic congestion.

Since March the Council has been responsible for enforcing parking restrictions, including double yellow lines, some school zigzags, pay-and-display parking, disabled car parking spaces and limited waiting areas. There are 46 officers, with 12 working in the city centre, eight each in Shipley and Keighley, and six each in Bradford North, South and West.