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Panayis Georgaki beside one of the “confusing” parking signs on Kilburn Park Road. |
Parking not permitted, unless you believe the other signpost
Contradiction in messages leads to confusion over where and when to park
DOZENS of motorists may have been wrongly issued parking tickets in a Kilburn road because of confusing signposting.
Parking bosses have been accused of “exploiting” the grey area on Kilburn Park Road – stinging unwitting motorists with tickets because of confusion created by two adjacent signs that mark different restrictions.
Panayis Georgaki, who parks on the road every Saturday when he visits the market, is fighting a battle with the council over two tickets he claims were issued illegally.
The council conceded their error and rescinded the first ticket, but Mr Georgaki fears he is not the only victim of the ambiguous signing.
While one sign alerts drivers to parking restrictions Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, just a metre down the road is another sign marking restrictions Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm, with an arrow indicating the restrictions apply only on one side of the sign.
Mr Georgaki says his car was parked on the other side of the arrow and was therefore abiding by the Monday to Friday restrictions.
He said: “It is very confusing and the situation is clearly being exploited. I’ve seen other cars lawfully parked on the right side of the line with tickets. Parking tickets are usually seen as a cash cow but this does seem like blatant vigilantism.”
Not only is Mr Georgaki contesting his second ticket, but he is also pursuing a compensation claim against the council for the money and time he spent to clear the first ticket.
Westminster City Council’s parking manager, Kieran Fitsall, said: “We understand that parking in London can be confusing and are working hard to improve road users understanding of the rules and provide clearer signs and lines.
“In this instance the motorist was parked on a yellow line when the sign at the kerbside indicated that no parking was allowed and was subsequently issued a ticket.
“We are dedicated to providing a parking service that is firm, fair and excellent and I would advise any motorist who feels they have been issued a ticket incorrectly to contact us directly.”
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