First impressions, rightly or wrongly, are often what stick in people's minds, so they have to be right. Which is why people who are travelling into Bradford should not be given a negative view of the city.

One thing that can feed this negative view is the preponderance of cars clogging up the grass verges on the so-called "gateway" routes into the city centre.

Dealers sometimes pretending to be domestic car owners selling their cars privately often stick their stock on these verges to attract passing trade.

Now Bradford Council is clamping down on this illegal trade and under new powers will be able to issue fixed penalty notices and even court summonses to the dealers who break the rules.

The new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act, which has just come into force, is to be welcomed, as is Bradford Council's speedy action to take advantage of it in this way.

Such car sales have been a frequent cause for complaint from members of the public and it is heartening to see them being listened to and acted upon.

People do have pride in their local communities and it does not help when unscrupulous businesses try to ride roughshod over this simply to make a fast buck.

The more attractive Bradford looks, especially on the major arteries into the city centre, the more people will be inclined to visit and the more money will be spent, which will create a win-win situation for residents and businesses alike.