ANGRY residents have succeeded in getting parking enforcement temporarily suspended.
But the widespread practice of part or full pavement parking and the debate about its legality, will continue as narrow streets become more crowded.
Homeowners in Craig Drive, Hillingdon, were fuming after parking wardens ticketed cars which they believed to be illegally parked on the footpath.
A petition was presented to Hillingdon Council, which has now pledged to refund all parking fines and suspend parking enforcement until further notice.
Craig Drive resident Mark Osborne said: "They just went for a big hit.
"We have been told by the fire brigade that we can park on the footpath so that they can get in and out in case of emergencies."
On Wednesday, Ian Gaddie, also of Craig Drive, said: "They were back here doing exactly the same thing today. They have ticketed another half a dozen cars or so, it has become a bit of a joke."
The council sought to play down the number of tickets, and has agreed to put them down to 'a misunderstanding' while they consider the complaints.
Kathy Sparks, deputy director of environmental and consumer protection, claimed only 16 tickets had been issued in the last week.
She added there was currently no parking enforcement in the road and said: "Any that have been issued as a result of misunderstandings about footway parking restrictions amongst residents have been written off."
Jon Hart, who lives nearby in Aintree Close, said: "Unlike my road the people of Craig Drive do not have any markings on the pavement allowing them to park on them.
"Basically they risk a ticket every time they do, but I can't see any good reason why cars should not be able to use the pavement because the road is very narrow when people park both sides.
"Just the other day I saw a dust cart struggling to get through and I think something should be done to help. All it needs is for Craig Drive to have what we've got."
When a road is designated a two wheels up parking area, a line is painted approximately down the centre of the pavement, and motorists must keep road side of it when mounting the kerb to allow pedestrians to get by.
