The Amsterdam local authorities are clamping down on the illegal spread of street terraces in the centre of the capital, the Telegraaf reports.

Of the 166 terraces in Damstraat, Nieuwmarkt, Martelaarsgracht, Paleisstraat, Spui, Spuistraat, the Negen Straatjes, Prinsenstraat and Herenstraat that were inspected this summer, 79 were found to take up more space than allowed.

A second inspection found a large number of café and bar owners had not removed any tables. In total 45 were given a warning which if ignored can lead to a fine of between €2,500 and €5, 000. In addition, 11 owners have been told they will be fined and two have been fined, the paper writes.

According to borough council chairman Boudewijn Oranje the summer crackdown was a success and will be reprised next summer. ‘We want the space for pedestrians to walk through to remain open in the centre of the city,’ he said.