A frustrated driver was left fuming after being slapped with a £110 fine for parking in what she claims is a “money trap” bay.

Romford Recorder: Katie Barden from Hornchurch, is challenging a parking ticket fine with the council.Katie Barden from Hornchurch, is challenging a parking ticket fine with the council. (Image: Archant)

Katie Barden, 35, of Hill Crescent, Hornchurch, was fined by the council after parking in Calbourne Avenue, Elm Park, on July 28.

The mum of one believed she had spotted a parking bay close to Elm Park station where the lines had faded away.

But traffic wardens fined the Hornchurch resident for parking with two wheels on the pavement.

Mrs Barden says it’s “absolutely ridiculous” to be fined where lines for a bay can still be seen.

“I have shown the photo of where I parked to loads of people and literally everyone has said they thought it was a parking bay and they would park there,” she said.

“I would happily pay if I thought I was in the wrong.”

Mrs Barden tried to appeal the decision but Havering Council responded in a letter saying it was her responsibility to find another space.

The letter, seen by the Recorder, said: “If the bays are no longer visible drivers are expected to find alternative parking places until the bays have been replaced.”

Before appealing, the 35-year-old had thought about just paying the fine straight away.

“I did think at first whether I should just pay it, but if I did that then the council are just going to keep charging others,” Mrs Barden said.

“It’s really cheeky for them to fine people for mistakenly parking there – it must be a money trap.”

She now wants the council to make alterations so others avoid confusion and parking tickets.

“The council either need to black it out completely or re-paint the lines,” she said.

“It makes no sense as one day that space was a parking bay but now it isn’t.

“What level of fading constitutes a parking bay no longer being one?”

Havering Council has not yet responded to our request for a comment.