All change for the traffic warden service across Leicestershire

Councils are set to take on the job within three years, and so every existing line is being scrutinised.

The traffic wardens, employed by the police, are to become community wardens.

The work currently carried out by the traffic wardens will be given to private contractors, paid for by the local authorities.

The government is de-criminalising the parking service, with councils taking on the job of looking after on-street restrictions. They already run car parks.

The fine income will be returned to the city council and we may well have a self-financing operation Alistair Reid, Leicester City Council

Alistair Reid, director of highways and transportation at Leicester City Council, told BBC Radio Leicester that staff were making sure all yellow lines and signs were in the right place, ready for the changeover expected in about 2007.

He said there was a risk that drivers could successfully appeal against a parking ticket if the paperwork behind each the restrictions was not in order.

That has meant an inspection of every existing and planned yellow line.

Work has already started to extend some yellow lines, on junctions and narrow streets.

And other restrictions, dating back up to 30 years and which are no longer needed, are being wiped out.

He said: "This is no small task. We are making sure every yellow line is backed up by the relevant piece of paper."

Huge scrutiny

Mr Reid added: "The fine income will be returned to the city council and we may well have a self-financing operation.

"The whole scheme will be subject to huge scrutiny and we will not get away with just using it as a money raising exercise."

The council will employ a private contractor to enforce regulations, as it currently does with its car park.