Helensburgh Central councillor James Robb has claimed the local authority – which resumed responsibility for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) from the police in May – have refused to address key problems with car parking.

He said: “As the council has refused to address the problem proactively by refunding all questionable fines I would encourage those who have had parking fines to challenge them.” He added: “There are missing signs (most of which have now been replaced) and road markings that have faded, worn off, or are incomplete.

“The enforcement of new parking bays from CHORD works is a legal argument as to whether the TRO can been enforced without the Parking Zone it creates being in place. There are no signs yet to define the new Central Helensburgh Parking Zone so it doesn’t exist in reality. My advice from independent experts is that this is highly questionable in law.

“It is confusing but the council is not being consistent so motorists see custom and practice but then get caught out in a council purge.

“An example is current Sinclair Street where an additional Temporary TRO was required to make it legal (the cones appearance on the road marked this). This is restricted 8am to 8pm but appears to be not enforced after 4.30pm.” A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council said they will review parking strategy in winter and will be ‘looking into the issue’ of road markings and signage.

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council said: “Our parking policy is about keeping traffic moving smoothly and making sure there’s a good turnover of parking spaces in our town centres. It is self-financing, with any income used to cover costs; there are no ‘targets’. We do not knowingly issue invalid Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Our wardens take a common sense approach and would not enforce in areas where the road markings are unclear. Going forward, as we review our parking strategy over the winter, we will be looking into the issue of road markings and signage.” The total number to PCN’s issued in Helensburgh so far is 1244 – 207 of which were warning tickets.

The spokesman added: “There is an established process for people to appeal a PCN if they have any concerns. Information about this is available on the back of the PCN and also on our website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/parking.

“Ahead of its implementation earlier this year, the DPE policy has been considered by the council at a number of its meetings, but if any elected members have further questions, they are encouraged to meet with the Director of Development and Infrastructure who will be happy to discuss this.”