A TOTAL of £261,055 was paid into on-street parking meters in Bournemouth between September and December 2012 – even though drivers had no chance of receiving a ticket.

Bournemouth’s traffic wardens have not issued fines to any motorists parked in meter controlled zones since September 7, after an independent adjudicator upheld an appeal against a fine.

In his ruling, the adjudicator said he could not find a traffic regulation order requiring motorists to display a ticket in their cars.

Following this judgement, enforcement was suspended but the parking meters remained in use. The council urged motorists to continue to buy and display a ticket and the latest figures show that many have obliged.

Bournemouth council has said it is reviewing its legal documents and could reinstate enforcement at any time.