WINSFORD residents are petitioning the council about zealous enforcement of ‘disgraceful’ parking regulations outside their homes.

Homeowners on Station Road say council traffic wardens set out early in the morning to slap fines on cars contravening yellow line 8am-6pm no parking restrictions.

Neighbours are now banding together to petition Cheshire West and Chester Council to adopt a parking permit scheme to ensure locals aren’t repeatedly prosecuted.

Resident, Ken Lamb, feels that wardens were laying in wait for offenders.

“My wife just came out of hospital. She’s had a hip replacement and I have to leave my car at the front to get her into the house.

“Everyone along the street has been given fines. I’m usually out of the house before 8am but one day I was ill and only got out at 8.20am to find I had a ticket.

“It’s terrible really; disgraceful. I’ve lived here all my life and it’s just shocking.”

Station Road resident, Susan Faragher, added: “Traffic wardens get out of a van early in the morning and seem to take a great delight in fining residents £70. Residents are only allowed to park for twelve minutes to unload shopping.

“Residents are also advised to seek alternative parking places. Several have done this - parking in a street 80 metres away where cars have been broken in to.

“Surely residents can be issued with parking permits as per London boroughs? I personally think it is disgraceful and is causing a lot of ill-feeling in Station Road.”

Susan said the yellow line was painted five years ago, but never enforced until the last few weeks.

“There have been no accidents along Station Road, and the bus service does not have a problem negotiating this road- therefore what possible reason can the Council put forward in favour of the yellow line rule?” she added.

A council spokesman said: “In October 2013, the Authority introduced Civil Parking Enforcement in the Borough where the Authority took over enforcement of parking restrictions from the Police. As part of this process, we consulted with all Town and Parish Councils as to whether they wished to see any changes to the existing restrictions and at that time, we did not receive any requests to change the restrictions on Station Road.

“We have recently been contacted by a local Member on behalf of the residents of Station Road, requesting us to investigate the possibility of removing the existing single yellow lines. We are currently looking into this request and will discuss any proposals with the Police and local members. Any modifications to the existing Traffic Regulation Order would be subject to the normal statutory consultation process."