With a bank holiday coming up on Monday, the Havering Residents’ Association are warning motorists that standard parking restrictions will usually apply across the borough.

The issue of bank holiday parking restrictions was raised at the last full council meeting when it was revealed that parking tickets issued by Enforcement Officers on scooters increased dramatically on a bank holiday compared with a normal day.

The question was raised by the Residents’ Association leader, Cllr Clarence Barrett, following concerns that ambiguity around Bank Holiday parking restrictions is being used to bolster the number of parking tickets issued.

It was disclosed that the average number of tickets issued via enforcement officers on scooters on a normal Monday averaged 50 while an average of 70 were issued on bank holiday Mondays.

On Good Friday 99 parking tickets were issued via scooter against an average of 62 for a normal Friday.

Cllr Barrett said: “I would urge motorists not to assume a relaxation of parking restrictions on a bank holiday in this borough and to read the signs, however small, that should be in place.

“Nowadays there is little that separates a bank holiday from a Sunday and I believe that the restrictions should be harmonised to Sundays.

“This would bring about a greater degree of clarity and end the confusion and distress that can often arise when parking tickets are issued to unsuspecting motorists.”

Havering Council leader, Cllr Michael White said earlier this month: “Our parking charges are among the lowest in London and what money we do receive from fines is spent improving our transport and parking network.

“Many councils charge on bank holidays as we do, but also charge on Sundays too - which we don’t.”

He added: “All of our budgets are under pressure and we are saving millions every year, so we have no plans to change our bank holiday arrangements.”