Parking tickets issued on the basis of evidence gathered by Smart cars equipped with enforcement cameras have been deemed invalid in a landmark ruling.

The decision by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal will have implications for 32 councils which have been given permission to use cameras by the Department for Transport.

David Fairley, a traffic appeals specialist, explained that it is a legal requirement for notices to be posted warning drivers the cameras were in operation and Wirral Borough Council had failed to do that in this particular case.

“I would urge all drivers to challenge parking tickets issued by local councils as this clearly sets a precedent,” added Fairley.