SCORES of motorists could get fines refunded because of a possible blunder by council highways bosses.

Drivers who used pay-and-display ticket machines in The Wylde, Bury, over the last two years have been fined £15 for not parking their cars fully within marked bays.

But town hall chiefs now admit that the bays may not be properly designed, and therefore the council could have been wrong in handing out penalty notices. They have now launched an investigation.

The move has been prompted after a motorist complained about being fined because his Peugeot 306, parked behind Bury Parish Church, was outside the lines of the parking bay.

Driver Mr Bob Norburn claimed the parking bay was too small for any vehicle other than a Mini, but his appeal was dismissed.

However, Mr Norburn, of Westhoughton, claims he was later told by a council official that the parking bays contravened regulations drawn up by the local authority. He said: "I then contacted the legal department and was told that the council should not be charging people for parking there, let alone fining them, and that the traffic department had known about this for the past year.

Mr Mike Cannon, borough engineer, said there was "a problem" with the design of some spaces which were not, as stated in the council's 1998 pay and display on-street parking places order, parallel to the kerb. The bays have instead been drawn at an angle to the kerb.

"We are looking at the whole issue of parking in that area," he said.

"If the bays are sub-standard we will have to review the situation with regard to motorists who have used those bays in the past."

A council spokesman added that the bays were not too small for a car to fit into, and said that the local authority was legally entitled to charge for parking in the area.

He added: "If any motorist feels they have been unfairly treated they should contact the council."

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