Motorists who park 'inconsiderately' could receive a parking fine of £70 under a new ruling by the Department of Transport.
And, to make matters worse, councils will have the power to give out parking fines to motorists, even where there are no warning signs or road markings saying that restrictions are in place.
The ruling was announced yesterday by the government who want to crack down on drivers who are parking "inconsiderately".
Councils will be allowed to impose parking fines on motorists who leave their car more than 50cm from the kerb, or who are parking by a dropped kerb and are obstructing pavements lowered for wheelchairs or prams.
Under existing legislation, which has been used in London, councils are allowed to remove cars which cause an obstruction, such as vehicles that have been double parked or block driveways.
Councils can also move cars which have been parked by dropped kerbs when there is a complaint; for example, from someone whose driveway has been blocked.
But they could only issue parking fines when there were notices or road markings outlining these restrictions.
But with the government's new changes motorists could be fined for offences when they have no knowledge that they were parking illegally at all.
These rulings will now apply to councils outside the capital to bring them into line with London's authorities.
The motoring group AA views the new legislation as "unfair" and "very dodgy", but the government's paper disagrees: "The police may take action against a vehicle that is parked causing an unnecessary obstruction whether or not this is indicated.
"Motorists know they should not double-park or park at dropped footways, and signs indicating these prohibitions are not necessary."
Rosie Winternton, the roads minister, also defended the ruling. "Dropped footways are provided to help wheelchair users and those with powered mobility vehicles or prams get around easily and safely. They also allow residents to easily reach their garages or park on their driveways."
But motoring organisations are worried that motorists, as well as the council's traffic wardens, will be confused as to when a kerb has been lowered to allow wheelchair access or when one has merely worn down.
However, the government considers the changes to be justified and it believes that forcing councils to put up signs would add to "street clutter".
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