Pavement parkers will face a crackdown and potential £60 fines despite a last minute bid to postpone enforcement for a year.

After years of turning a blind eye, Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to work with Sussex Police and starting enforcing the double yellow lines in Elm Grove, Brighton.

This means that motorists who leave their cars on pavements will be slapped with fines if they do not find somewhere else to park.

Councillors approved the proposal to properly enforce the restrictions claiming the situation has got too dangerous and changes must be made for the benefit of all road users.

This was despite opposition from locals and a last-ditch attempt from Labour councillors to postpone the introduction for a year to allow a community-led scheme to be drawn up.

Pete West, chairman of the council’s transport committee, said: “It’s a long running issue and it’s important that we as civic leaders set an example.

“We do not need permission of the community to go ahead with this.”

Plans to enforce the restrictions were first announced two years ago but were shelved after opposition by locals.

A further proposal which included creating some parking in the street was rejected by residents in January.

After the latest decision, warning letters will be issued on November 4 with fines issued to those breaking the law two weeks later.

The local authority believes about 70 cars will be displaced although residents feel like the number would be close to 200.

Ward councillor Emma Daniel, who asked for the delay, said: “Simply shifting the problem into the side streets won't work and will pit neighbour against neighbour.

“The solution has to be a genuinely community led one with the council being clear that while the present situation can't continue indefinitely, it is prepared to go the extra mile to find the best options for the majority of residents.”

Conservative councillor Graham Cox said he did not think it was a “tolerable situation” to allow motorist to continue breaking the law.

But fellow Conservative councillor Dee Simson said: “This is a long term problem but unless there’s hard enforcement forever and ever we will be back where we’re started in 18 months time.”

Speaking after the meeting Chris Taylor, chairman of the Hanover and Elm Grove Local Action Team, said: “We were all incredibly disappointed that the committee, particularly the Green members, dismissed the delay out of hand by deciding that enough time had been given in the past and that the result of a consultation in 2010 gave them the right to enforce parking laws.”