Driver confused by poor road markings on Totteridge Lane fails in appeal to Barnet Council, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

A local resident is pleading with Barnet Council to restore faded parking bay markings in Whetstone which he says are catching drivers out.

John Smith* told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the faded parking bays could be found along Totteridge Lane, between Whetstone High Road and Totteridge and Whetstone Station.

John said he was issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) amounting to £65 for parking illegally and had witnessed “many” cars on that part of the road with tickets.

He said walking around you could see the issue was “ongoing” and he described the issuing of the tickets “disingenuous” for a zone that was “poorly marked” and “highly faded”.

John said in one section parking bays were next to a loading bay, and both had controlled times, one beginning at 5.30pm and the other ending at that time. He said this, coupled with the faded markings, “caused confusion”.

“There’s an appreciation by Barnet Council that the roads are deteriorating,” he said.

The council has allocated £97m over the next five years to funding for improvements to the borough’s roads and pavements.

John said a “good outcome” would be for the markings to be made more visible, and emphasised this was his priority in raising his concern.

He has appealed his PCN but, following review, was told the fine wouldn’t be waived so he is now escalating the appeal.

In response to enquiries a Barnet Council spokesperson said:“We will be inspecting these bays and will be refreshing the markings if and where that is found to be necessary.

“If the motorist has received a rejection of his challenge to the penalty, then this letter will also include details of the statutory process for further appeals.”

*Name changed

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