COMMUNITY safety chiefs in Portishead are planning a crackdown on inconsiderate motorists - by launching a Park Watch scheme. Portishead councillor David Pasley is hoping to work with the town's Local Action Team and police to launch the initiative to sto

COMMUNITY safety chiefs in Portishead are planning a crackdown on inconsiderate motorists - by launching a Park Watch scheme.Portishead councillor David Pasley is hoping to work with the town's Local Action Team and police to launch the initiative to stop drivers parking illegally in the town.The scheme would run along a similar vein as Speedwatch, with volunteers using digital cameras rather than radar guns to capture people parking illegally.Anyone captured on camera would have their vehicle details taken which would be passed on to the police.The police would then write to the individual warning them about parking illegally and warn of further action if they continue.Cllr Pasley, who is a member of the town's LAT, said: "Parking in Portishead is a real problem."People park on pavements, double yellow lines and zig zags, often without a thought."This is very dangerous, not only for motorists but also for pedestrians too."Often I see mums with pushchairs or elderly people being forced out into the road because a car has parked on the pavement."There are not enough police to constantly patrol the town issuing parking tickets, so that is why I came up with the idea of the Park Watch initiative."It would run along the same lines as a Speedwatch but with volunteers using digital cameras and a notebook."Cllr Pasley said he was hoping to organise a special meeting of the LAT and police to discuss the Park Watch scheme.He added: "Obviously any such scheme would have to be run in partnership with the police."The police would train volunteers on how to identify illegally parked cars and all details of the vehicle would be passed to officers."Portishead police sergeant Terry Scoble said he would be happy to work with the LAT to look at ways to stop illegal parking.Sgt Scoble said: "I do find it amazing that people choose to park illegally when there is ample free parking in Portishead."We have been taking a zero tolerance stance on illegal parking in the High Street over the past few weeks."We are happy to work with the LAT and local councillors to look at ways of tackling bad parking in Portishead.