RESIDENTS will expect to see more traffic wardens roaming the streets to target "specific problem areas" in Ascot.

The Royal Borough council has introduced a one year pilot scheme which increases parking enforcement presence in rural and out of town areas.

Parking enforcement company NSL, who provide services in the Royal Borough will see their weekly contracted hours increase by 25 per cent after it was agreed at a cabinet meeting on August 29.

The new scheme will see on and off street civil parking enforcement, first and second line machine maintenance for both on and off street machines, vehicles removed and abandoned vehicle enforcement.

NSL have been awarded a two year contract which will start on December 1 this year, with one-off additional funding of £69,336 to allow rural areas to be better covered across the Borough.

Thames Valley Police will also work in partnership with Royal Borough Community wardens to carry out joint patrols and intelligence sharing.

Cllr David Cannon, lead member for public protection, said: “Resident feedback has told us that increased visibility and presence from the parking enforcement team in rural and out of town areas is important.

"Therefore, I am delighted that Cabinet have approved this increase in NSL’s contracted hours.

“This extra time will allow the enforcement team to cover more of the borough, more frequently, in response to resident reports."

The one year pilot will focus on enforcement in rural and out of town areas and will be directed by resident reports through the online 'report it' function and direct liaison with ward councillors and parish councils.

At the end of the 12 months, an evaluation of the pilot will determine whether the scheme should continue and if it was successful.