What do you folks think;

A friend of mine recently got a £35 / £70 parking ticket for parking in a newly created “Residents Only” street without a permit. I agree she was wrong and should have noticed the new signs. Today I was in the area and was curious to see how obvious the signs were. I was somewhat surprised to see the signs were a little bespoke.

I’ve always understood that ‘on road’ residents parking areas are defined as ‘Controlled Zones’ and the entrance to such areas are marked with a ‘Entrance to Controlled Zone’ parking sign, that being a large white rectangle featuring with the words “Controlled ZONE”, a 450-600mm Red Circle with Blue Background and diagonal line (Parking Restrictions Apply) and information about the times applying.

However, the area where the ticket was issued has not got the regular signs at the entrances and exits to the zone; it simply has a white rectangular information sign about 600 x 400 with a blue ‘P’ and the note “Resident permit holders parking past this point Mon – Sat 8am – 6pm”. On the rear of the sign is a smaller plate with the note “Permit parking area ENDS”. Just as an aside, there are some 2 hour permit free bays in the area!

Nowhere in the area affected in there a standard ‘Waiting Restrictions Apply’ sign. I know that parking enforcement is now down to the local authority but I’m sure it doesn’t include making up your own road signs, or does it?

I’m thinking she should appeal.

Edited by Berisford on 21/12/2011 at 17:44