National Car Parks wardens replaced the police's wardens in January and are expected to issue 40,000 tickets a year at a cost of up to �60 each.

Some businesses in Frederick Street say takings have been badly affected since the new team of traffic wardens took to the streets.

But bus drivers say the new wardens have cleared traffic congestion, making their jobs easier.

Since the traffic wardens have arrived we have seen a substantial improvement in the city centre Robin Knight, Stagecoach

Richard Longworth of Executive dry cleaners said his trade was down 20% and blamed over-zealous traffic wardens for scaring customers away.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I've had more than one customer whose been out there for less than 60 seconds and the traffic warden has pounced on them.

"They are not giving them a chance to conduct any business on this street."

But Robin Knight, divisional traffic manager for Stagecoach, welcomed the new wardens.

He said: "There have been a number of areas in Sunderland where we have found significant difficulty just proceeding up the street, never mind getting to the stop to pick the passengers up.

"Since the traffic wardens have arrived we have seen a substantial improvement in the city centre.

"They have assured us they will be also moving on to other areas in Sunderland in due course and we look very much forward to working with them."

Further discussion

Peter Goldsbrough, Sunderland City Centre manager, said it was "debatable" whether some streets needed the wardens.

He said: "What concerns me is the comments about wardens pouncing within 60 seconds of people parking their cars.

"That is not how the system is supposed to work and this is something I have to take up with traders and the local authority.

"What we don't want to do is drive businesses and trade away."