Work is currently under way to clear up confusing parking signs which it is claimed has left shopkeepers out of pocket.

Richmond Council carried out a review of Powder Mill Lane, Whitton, following complaints motorists were being slapped with parking fines after misunderstanding the signs.

The issues was raised by Whitton resident Nigel Wise, who successfully appealed a parking ticket issued in the road in July 2010 after being snapped by a camera which he discovered had not been correctly certified.

Mr Wise said: “This is good news. The signs here are terrible. Shops have had to close down because of them.”

A council spokesman said: “A recent review of the ‘signing and lining’ in Powder Mill Lane, indicated that some maintenance work was required in order to make absolutely clear what parking restrictions were in place.

“With this in mind our parking wardens will be assessing very carefully the degree of compliance of road marking and signs before considering whether or not enforcement action is appropriate.

However, he stressed drivers parking illegally in an area where regulations are clearly indicated will still be liable to receive a penalty charge.

Mr Wise’s discovery that Richmond Council’s CCTV cars were not properly certified lead to the authority announcing this month they will pay back fines totalling more than £1m to motorists caught by the vehicles.