Extra traffic wardens will have to be recruited by councils in the West Midlands to cope as more powers are handed over by police, it has been revealed.

Authorities took over responsibility for enforcing illegal parking in April and teams of council wardens have been recruited.

Now new powers were also handed to councils on June 1 to enforce parking across dropped kerbs and double parking.

Midlands-wide talks have been launched between officers to decide the best way to introduce them, but highways chiefs claim the outcome is likely to lead to more wardens.

Councils are also bracing themselves for new legislation which could see other enforcement handed to them including driving the wrong way in a one way street, driving into a box junction without a clear exit, performing a banned turn and driving in a pedestrian zone.

Cabinet member for highways in Dudley, where there are 22 wardens, Councillor Angus Adams, said it would undoubtedly mean more wardens would be recruited.

He said: “The 22 wardens we have got have enough to occupy them with keeping on top of the illegal parking so with more powers to enforce it would certainly mean more people.”

Cabinet member for highways in Walsall, where there are 17 wardens, Councillor Tom Ansell said: “It will create more jobs as if we have more responsibility it will mean a need for more wardens.”

Paul Leighton, group leader for traffic management at Walsall Council, said: “In the West Midlands we are coming to a collective decision through the parking manager’s group as to how and when we apply these new powers and a decision will be made in the next two to three months. The legislation is quite detailed and we are working through the best way to apply it.”