The validity of potentially hundreds of parking tickets issued by Redbridge Council are being called into question this week.

The council has no “authorisation” from the Department of Transport for signs it puts up when it creates a suspended parking area.

Parking is often suspended for building work to take place, or other reasons.

Redbridge is one of 16 London boroughs without “authorisation” to erect signs in such areas.

In 2010, a ticket issued in a suspended parking bay was ruled unlawful because Camden Council did not have authorisation for signs.

Redbridge Council has not answered the Recorder’s questions before we went to press, but London Councils argues that a 2011 test case judgement by the Court of Appeal means signs are lawful.

A spokesman added: “The court ruled a technical failure to comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations does not invalidate any signage so long as the signs are clear and motorists aren’t misled – effectively preventing any further successful appeals on these grounds.”