Labour has dismissed calls for stricter regulations on parking signage, despite a petition attracting thousands of signatures from concerned motorists across the country.

The Department for Transport confirmed today that existing rules governing parking signs remain sufficient and will not be changed.

It follows the petition, created by Zoe Bread, which urged ministers to introduce more stringent requirements for councils when installing parking signs, arguing that current guidelines are "incredibly vague".

Campaigners claimed the lack of detailed regulations enables local authorities to defend misleading signage that confuses drivers, particularly when multiple payment machines are present or when incorrect pay stations are positioned between signs and the correct payment point.

The petition follows several drivers being fined for failing to follow the confusing parking signs

The petition, which garnered 13,805 signatures, specifically requested clearer guidelines on what drivers should do in such confusing situations.

In its official response, the Department for Transport stated that local authorities bear responsibility for managing parking signs and machines, with established appeal procedures available for motorists who receive unfair tickets.

The Government emphasised that traffic signs for English roads are already regulated through the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, which cover parking bay indicators and directions to payment machines.

According to the DfT, councils must ensure clarity regarding which payment machine corresponds to specific parking bays, as they oversee on-street parking provision, including machine placement and associated signage.

The petition called on Labour to tighten the parking rules around signage to stop drivers from being fined

The department highlighted that "comprehensive good practice guidance" is available for local authorities within the Traffic Signs Manual, with Chapter 3 specifically addressing payment machine signage and methods to direct drivers to the correct machine when multiple options are available.

But the petition's supporters argued that existing regulations permit councils to claim their signage meets guidelines even when various factors render the signs deceptive or unclear.

"We believe that the current rules, which we feel are incredibly vague, mean councils can say their sign meets the guidelines, even if there are factors that may make the sign misleading," the petition stated.

Campaigners insisted that more comprehensive and detailed regulations would compel local authorities to accept accountability for confusing signage arrangements.

The petition particularly highlighted problems arising when drivers encounter incorrect payment stations positioned between parking signs and the designated payment machine, creating uncertainty about where to pay.

In these cases, it can leave motorists vulnerable to penalties despite attempting to comply with parking requirements, the petition argued.

The Traffic Signs Manual serves as the primary reference document for local authorities implementing parking restrictions and signage across the UK, the DfT explained.

This comprehensive guidance covers all aspects of traffic sign usage, from regulatory requirements to practical placement advice, with detailed specifications for parking bay markings and payment machine indicators.

Labour has responded to a landmark petition calling for parking changes

The DfT shared: "The Government’s view is that the current Regulations covering parking restriction signs are adequate and has no current plans to make any changes."

Motorists who believe they have been unfairly ticketed retain the right to challenge penalties through a two-tier appeals system, beginning with the issuing local authority before escalating to an independent adjudicator if necessary.

The DfT explained that the adjudicator may consider the sign condition and placement, alongside relevant guidance, when reviewing appeals, providing an impartial assessment of whether the signage met the required standards.

"The Government believes that LAs are best placed to understand adequate sign placement for individual sites as they have detailed knowledge of their roads and the needs of residents and businesses," the DfT response stated.