MOTORISTS will be targeted by traffic wardens in Southampton next week as parking attendants blitz 40 roads across the city.

Drivers who stray on to double yellow lines or park in disabled bays will be slapped with a £60 fine as part of council plans to encourage motorists to park responsibly.

It comes just days after the council announced plans to clamp and tow away cars illegally parked across the city.

It is likely to cause misery for hundreds of drivers as the decision on whether to implement the clamping and towing of cars will be made on September 3, the same day the traffic wardens begin blitzing the city's roads.

The wardens will also check drivers are not parking at bus stops or taxi ranks.

Parts of Millbrook and Shirley will be intensely patrolled' for a week commencing September 3 followed by a week in the Bitterne and Sholing area.

The patrols will then move on to Northam and Bitterne Manor before ending in Portswood and St Denys.

The high profile scheme is in response to complaints over the last six months with the fines allowing the council to cover the costs of the increased patrols.

Denis Hilditch, of Southampton Advanced Motorists, welcomed the move but said motorists were not always clear on where they can park.

"I'm sure there are some no parking signs around the city that are not too obvious and if that's the case then a £60 fine is not on. But on the other hand if the sign is obvious you are always going to get some cheeky person parking where they shouldn't in which case they should be fined."

Councillor Gavin Dick, Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "This approach is hoped to encourage both residents and visitors to park responsibly around the city.

"The council's recent review of parking has shown that we have had an excess of spaces in the centre so there is no need for irresponsible parking. The charges issued are used to help prevent people from re-offending and to keep traffic flowing."

Click HERE to see which roads are affected.