Parking on double yellow lines is a big problem say council officers

Supporters said it would make roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

Denbighshire council took on traffic wardens in 2004 followed by Conwy council this year, with Gwynedd and Anglesey set to follow in April 2007.

Fixed fined �60 will be handed out for offences and Anglesey Council said all money raised would be "ring-fenced" for spending on road improvements.

Alun Roberts, project manager for the new scheme on Anglesey, said: "We will be targeting people who misuse restricted time zone parking outside shops which should make it easier for people who want to pop to the shops for instance."

Photographic evidence

At the moment two people are employed to make sure there is no misuse of Anglesey council owned pay-and-display car parks, but the new scheme will see four full-time jobs with an extra two over the summer, covering the whole island.

Under the scheme all cars will be photographed by the attendants after they have placed a ticket on the screen, to provide evidence if there is an appeal.

The fines will be fixed at �60 - going down to �30 if paid within a fortnight, or up to �90 if there is an appeal that fails.

If drivers dispute the ticket they can appeal in the first instance to the council and then to the independent body the National Parking Adjudication Service.

Gwynedd Council has a web page dedicated to the plans and Anglesey Council plans to leaflet householders about the changes.

Anglesey Council will stage a dummy run for the first two weeks, with tickets given as warning only.

'Common sense'

The new scheme will cost Anglesey Council �200,000 to put into force, and it is projected it will take seven to eight years before it breaks even or makes a profit.

"Any money made is ring-fenced and has to be used to improve road safety or parking facilities, it cannot be used by the council for anything else," said Mr Roberts.

But some motorists have expressed concern at increased bureaucracy generated by the scheme.

George Jensen, 76, from Old Colwyn, Conwy, received a ticket after a misunderstanding over the placing of a disability badge in January this year.

Although the fine was rescinded, Mr Jensen said the situation had been stressful.

"I have no objection to the new scheme as long as it is done sensibly," he said.

"This would mean it has to be done with an element of common sense."

Administration of fines from across Gwynedd and Anglesey will be dealt with by Denbighshire Council, which set up its scheme in July 2004.

Six months later the scheme was hailed "a success" after the number of parking offences fell by over 75%

Councillor Eryl Williams said at the time: "These figures reflect the fact the scheme is working well in Denbighshire and show that people are taking heed of the message and are cooperating with the council."