THE two-week period of grace from on-street parking enforcement in Fareham has ended, with motorists being advised they will now be fined for leaving their car in the wrong place.

Parking attendants found 165 vehicles parked on the street in the last fortnight, but rather than issuing penalties, simply left advice not to do it again.

From now on they will not be so lenient.

Fareham Borough Council took over the role of enforcement for on-street parking on April 2.

During the period of grace only three fines have been issued - to motorists who left their vehicles in dangerous places, including bus lanes.

Executive member for public protection, Councillor Arthur Mandry, said the introduction period was designed to help drivers adjust to the new rules.

"During this time our parking attendants were identifying those cars that were parked in contravention of traffic regulation orders, but were not issuing parking charge notices," he said.

"Instead, they were issuing a warning notice to say that there would not be a penalty charge on this occasion, but that in future, parking there would result in a penalty.

"It's important for us to educate motorists, as well as to penalise those who park unlawfully.

"This two-week grace period has given us the chance to achieve this."