Parking enforcement at High Wycombe’s sports hub will begin tomorrow after scores of motorists appear to ignore the centre's restrictions in what visitors fear is an “accident waiting to happen”.

Wycombe District Council's parking officers will swoop in on the Handy Cross Hub from Friday (December 2) and begin patrols to improve safety and deter drivers from abusing restrictions.

Concrete blocks will be installed in front of the Wycombe Leisure Centre to stop people from parking on the pavement.

Since the £25 million leisure centre and neighbouring Waitrose were opened this year rafts of visitors have complained about the misuse of parking bays, with drivers appearing to park on double yellow lines, pavements, and drop of bays.

Ted Walker - who regularly uses the hub – branded the parking as a “major health and safety risk” slamming motorists for having “little regard” for the safety of families.

He said: “I believe the actions of members of the public constitutes a major health and safety risk. This has manifested itself in irresponsible and anti-social car parking on the road between the Wycombe Leisure Centre and Waitrose supermarket.

“Despite there being three car parks to choose from, one of which is free of charge, people are choosing to park within the drop off bays, on the pavement, pedestrianised areas and on double yellow lines.

“This is causing obstructing the footpaths, obstructing other road users who have to navigate around these vehicles, reducing visibility along the stretch of road and at junctions and appears unsightly.”

Drivers have been encouraged to used the multi-storey car park and the coachway car park on site. Anyone who parks illegally at the hub will be issued with tickets, according to community chief at WDC, councillor Julia Adey.

She said: “I’m delighted to say that we’ve been seeing record numbers of people enjoying the new leisure centre at HandyXHub.

“The site is designed to provide plenty of convenient parking with a multi-storey car park right next to the leisure centre and even more spaces at the Coachway surface car park.

“Most people are using the car parks but some people are parking on the access road.

“We want everyone to be safe and enjoy their visit to HandyXHub so we’re going to start issuing tickets if drivers park illegally on the access road.”

In addition parking enforcement will also begin on two access roads at They Rye – the main access road into the Wycombe Rye Lido and car park as well as the route off London Road towards Busy Bees Nursery.