Fines of £1,000 to park on drives

Villagers who do not comply face fines of up to £1,000

Residents of an East Yorkshire village could be fined up to £1,000 if they park on driveways with the wrong type of kerbs, a council has ruled.

People in Eastrington near Goole, were sent notices by East Riding of Yorkshire Council making it illegal to park on drives without a dropped kerb.

The council said it was illegal under the Highways Act 1980 to drive a vehicle across the 6in (15cm) kerb.

Roy Poulter, who lives in the village, said the move was "overzealous".

The 64-year-old, who has lived on Pinfold Street for 11 years, said: "What the council is saying, I don't have a problem with.

"What I do have a problem with is the lack of consultation in the first place and the tone of the letter."

Mr Poulter said the kerbstones were in a bad state but thought most residents would pay a "nominal charge" for this work to be carried out.

He said he has been quoted £800 to have a kerb lowered.

'Unauthorised access'

Residents still need to apply for permission from the council before the work can be carried out.

A council spokesman said: "We regularly take action relating to unauthorised access from the public highway throughout the East Riding and Eastrington is just one village where this problem has been brought to our attention recently.

"The reference to possible fines is to ensure that homeowners do not ignore the letter which is a legally drafted notice.

"The solution is to apply for and install a legally constructed vehicular access."

Without the dropped kerbs, damage could be done to electrical cables and water pipes, claimed the local authority.

Now residents are demanding a meeting with council officials over the issue.