A bowls group fear their membership numbers could slide if parking regulations are imposed at a Watford leisure centre.

Due to an insufficient number of parking spaces at the Woodside leisure centre, in Horseshoe Lane, motorists have taken to leaving their vehicles on yellow lines and on verges - in some cases blocking access routes that are vital in an emergency.

Watford Borough Council has suggested implementing Traffic Regulation Orders on site, where any vehicle not in a designated parking space would be handed a fine.

But Watford Outdoor Bowls Club, which is found beside the leisure centre, fears that the lack of parking provision, coupled with the threat of fines, could drive their members away.

Geoff Trigwell, chairman of Watford Indoor Bowls Club, said: "We agreed (with the council) they couldn't put prohibition orders in if they didn't provide an adequate service. It would force people to park on the main road.

"Seventy-two hours later, they issued a notice of intent to put the order in place. Anybody visiting the leisure centre who cannot park properly will get a ticket. It will be mayhem. They've spent all that money and are shooting themselves in the foot.

"The whole thing is a nightmare. We feel so desperate and concerned. We don't condone illegal parking. If they start ticketing people, our members won't come."

A Watford Borough Council representative confirmed the council is looking at introducing traffic regulation orders at the two leisure centre sites, at Woodside and the Central site in Hempstead Road, after feedback from residents about misuse of the car parks.

A copy of the proposals, together with relevant maps and a statement of reasons, can be viewed from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Mondays to Fridays at the Customer Service Centre, Town Hall.

Objections to the proposals, together with the grounds on which they are made, and any other representations must be sent in writing to Jane Custance, Head of Planning at Watford Borough Council (Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX) by October 27, 2008.

Councillor Iain Sharpe, cabinet member for transportation, said: "At both centres, we provide a number of free car parking spaces for visitors. However, we have to ensure these parking spaces are used fairly - currently there are problems with people parking erratically and blocking access for emergency vehicles, parking in disabled bays without a blue badge and leaving cars overnight.

"Watford is a compact town so there is always going to be pressure on parking. With this in mind, we are looking at ways to encourage visitors to the leisure centres to make some of their journeys by foot, cycle or bus."