THE council’s leader has urged postal bosses to come to an agreement with parking managers over fines being dished out to Royal Mail drivers.

The Recorder reported in October that Royal Mail van drivers have racked up �10,000 in fines since April this year.

The post office in Cranbrook Road, Ilford, has been hardest hit, with some drivers landed with �50 fines up to three times a day.

Postmaster Nisha Patel said it is not just Royal Mail workers who are being plagued with parking fines from wardens and traffic cameras.

She said pay-and-display parking bays are regularly full and one was recently blocked by a skip.

She said the lack of parking and unloading spaces are hitting a number of shops on the stretch of road.

Royal mail drivers have also been spotted and fined for parking on double yellow lines outside the main delivery office in Chadwick Road, Ilford.

Bosses at the firm have slammed the fines as “excessive.”

Council leader Cllr Keith Prince said: “The question is where do you draw the line?

“Obviously I cannot condone parking on double yellow lines.

“Road markings are there to help the flow of traffic.

“I think Royal Mail need to sit down with the council and try to work out a way that they can collect without getting fines or ways they can avoid parking on the lines.”

Redbridge Council insists it has made clear its stance on the matters to Royal Mail during meetings.

A spokesman added: “Regarding the Cranbrook Road post office, it is acknowledged that the most conveniently located parking bays are not always available to Royal Mail vehicles because they are occupied by other customers, but there are alternative locations in the area free from loading restrictions that Royal Mail vehicles could use instead.”