THE ROW over parking in narrow streets has escalated, with Civic Centre chiefs accused of 'legalised theft'.

There are about 36 roads across the borough where motorists can legally park with two wheels on the pavement because doing otherwise would cause an obstruction. But there are dozens more equally narrow streets where residents claim traffic wardens have always turned a blind eye to them doing so – until now.

Earlier this month, the Chronicle reported how residents in St Leonard's Garden, Heston, had received a flurry of tickets for parking on the kerb despite an 'unwritten rule' allowing the practice stretching back at least 20 years.

Drivers in Argyle Road, Hounslow, are the latest to receive fines for parking on the pavement even though they would otherwise be blocking the highway.

After complaining, one resident received a letter from the council's highways department saying the street met its 'criteria for footway funding' and wardens would turn a blind eye until funding was available to put signs and road markings in place.

However, Councillor John Connelly claimed there were many more roads where drivers should be exempt from fines.

"Legalised theft by Hounslow's parking attendants must cease," said the independent councillor for Hounslow Heath. "I'm not against penalising antisocial parking but many roads were built long before you had the amount of cars we have today. There are at least a dozen roads which need to be added to exempt list but it appears the funding isn't available to formalise this."

A council spokesman said: "There are currently approximately 36 roads in the borough where footway parking is permitted and has been formalised with road markings and signs.

"There are other roads that might meet the same criteria, but have not been formally approved to allow footway parking. To address this, a report has been prepared to approve funding for a borough-wide programme that will be going to the council’s executive in June.

"This report will include revised criteria for where footway parking is permitted. These criteria are being applied before signs and markings will appear to help ease the situation for those roads where it will be rolled out. Residents of Argyle Road have been informed that the road is suitable for partial footway parking and enforcement has been suspended."