A RETIRED lawyer has said she will challenge a parking ticket that she claims demonstrates the overzealous attitude of a council to penalising drivers.

Lindsey Hall, 56, a former lawyer for North Yorkshire Police, said the parking ticket she received from a civil enforcement officer working for Darlington Borough Council, for parking too close to a dropped kerb, was manifestly unfair because there were no signs or warning lines to tell her it was a no parking zone.

Ms Hall, from Darlington, said she will appeal the ticket as far as the law allows to show that Darlington Borough Council is being too harsh and inflexible in enforcing parking restrictions.

A council spokeswoman said dropped kerbs are vital for people with mobility or sight issues and that extra signage or markings are not required to enforce restrictions.

Ms Hall was given a £70 penalty notice after she left her car in Selbourne Terrace, in Darlington town centre, on Saturday, September 1, on the grounds that it would restrict the movement of people trying to access the dropped kerb with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Ms Hall said she had not noticed the dropped kerb because it was not marked and disputes that she blocked access for anyone.

Ms Hall said: “I spent my whole legal career in the public sector so I do understand the public interest in having proper enforcement of parking.

“But in this street, by that dropped kerb, there is no way of knowing that you are in what is called a special enforcement area, because there are no signs or road markings.

“It is manifestly unfair and unreasonable to impose a penalty charge of £70 without making motorists aware of the restriction.

“You ought to know what you have done wrong.

“I took pictures that show my car was not covering the dropped kerb, my rear wheel was right next to it – I was not blocking access.”

A statement from the council said: “This type of restriction does not require additional signage or markings. Drivers are asked to be considerate when deciding where to park and should not park across dropped kerbs as they can have a significant impact on people with mobility issues.

“An appeal to the council was unsuccessful and the appellant has been given details for the independent parking appeals tribunal should they wish to make further representations.”