AA wants improved parking signage

Drivers in England can be fined for obstructing driveways

The AA is calling for better signage next to dropped kerbs to warn drivers exactly where they can and cannot park.

A new law brought in last year means drivers in England could be fined £70 for obstructing a driveway, and the penalty in London is £120.

Councils could use it as an opportunity to "maximise revenue", the AA fears.

Local Government bosses say councils should not spend "a fortune" on signs, while the Department for Transport insists drivers already know the rules.

However, Paul Watters from the AA said there were concerns that councils could go too far with enforcement of the rule.

He said: "When civil parking enforcement started, there were some councils going round in the middle of the night enforcing footway parking bans.

'Carte blanche power'

"That really was, I think, to maximise revenue and I think some people might be concerned this might re-appear if we have carte blanche power, like [with] this drop kerb."

But Councillor David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association's regeneration and transport board, said: "The vast majority of motorists, including myself, do not park opposite or adjacent to dropped kerbs.

"Why should we spend a fortune for a bunch of idiots?"

In a statement, the Department for Transport added: "The Highway Code is clear that drivers should not stop or park in front of dropped kerbs and we believe that motorists know this without a specific sign being placed at each individual location."