Over half of drivers who appeal against parking tickets in the borough are successful, it was revealed this week.

The news comes just days after the mayor's official car was issued with a ticket and sparked assurances from Richmond upon Thames Council that their parking policy is firm but fair.

Richmond upon Thames Mayor Bill Treble's chauffeur driven car was slapped with a parking ticket as he attended Barnes Fair on Saturday, July 8.

Cllr Treble explained: "My driver was directed by a police constable and an inspector where to park. He went down a side street out of the way. It had double yellow lines. He parked where he was told to and then got booked."

The issue was investigated and a spokesman for the council confirmed that mitigation offered had been accepted and the ticket had been cancelled.

Cllr Treble added: "I would just put it down to the inexperience of the traffic warden."

Parking appeal statistics for 2005/06, produced by the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PATAS) this week show that of 667 appeals by motorists, 359 were successful.

Of those 359 successful appeals, 166 were not contested by Richmond council.

But the council say these latest statistics show a five per cent increase in the number of appeals being rejected.

A spokesman said: "Overall our figures compare favourably with other boroughs."

Cllr David Trigg, cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, added: "It is essential that the parking laws are properly applied for the benefit of all road users and every possible effort is made in this borough to ensure this happens.

"The council believes in a firm but fair policy and we are working closely with senior management at NCP to ensure that their attendants are not overzealous."

The figures came in the week the government announced it is considering proposals to make council car parking enforcement more friendly to motorists. The move follows criticism from an all party group of MPs including Twickenham's Dr Vincent Cable.

He said: "I welcome the government's changes to restore a little balance and common sense into the system.

"It is a relief to see that our borough is not one of the main culprits when it comes to appeals and disputes over fines.

"But it demonstrates the importance of having a proper system of appeals. It's important that residents feel there is an impartial system to deal with problems."