THIRTEEN signs have been put up in Hatfield town centre to reinforce the message that cycling is prohibited.

The Hatfield Central (town) Neighbourhood Team has been working with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Hertfordshire Highways, which put the "no cycling" signs up last week.

It follows a recommendation from the borough council, which established, after receiving complaints by residents, that there was a traffic order prohibiting cycling.

PCSO Kate Parker said: “There’s no excuse now for not knowing the town centre is a cycle free zone.

“If anyone is caught cycling through the no cycling area, they will be given a £30 fixed penalty notice.”

She added: “We want to make sure the town centre is a safer place for pedestrians.

"Cycling on the footpath and pedestrian area of the town centre is anti-social and you’ve told us it is a real problem, so it has become one of our neighbourhood priorities.

"There are a number of designated cycle paths that can be used but riders must dismount whilst they are in the town centre. Similarly, motorists are prohibited from driving through the town centre pedestrian area.”

Stuart Pile, Hertfordshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport, said: “While we want to encourage cycling, it’s also very important that cyclists respect pedestrian areas. We hope these new signs will help emphasise where the pedestrian areas are in Hatfield town centre.”