HEREFORDSHIRE council's traffic wardens are still ticketing motorists for parking in High Street bays on Ledbury's market days, even when market traders have vacated the spots.

Town councillor, Tony Bradford, says such ticketing is "entrapment".

Herefordshire Council has also revealed that Ledbury Town Council and local county councillors have called for a revision of the parking restrictions; but nothing has been done as yet.

Ledbury resident, Yvonne White witnessed six motorists being ticketed in the bays on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14.

It was a Charter Market day, when bays are restricted for trader use only, from 7am to 5pm, but most traders leave by 2pm.

Mrs White, of Bye Street said: "I do feel sorry for motorists, because they are being clobbered for no reason. These motorists are not causing any obstruction to the highway, and people just don't look at the signs."

She added: "Reducing the Market Day parking restrictions there, to allow parking after 2pm, has been requested, so why hasn't it been done?"

Cllr Bradford said: "Last week, I had several of my constituents phone me about this. I am banging my head against a brick wall to get some common sense, because this is entrapment. It is an issue that needs sorting out."

He said that wardens appears on market days to ticket motorists "as soon as the traders have gone."

People can park in the bays on any other days but Ledbury's Charter Market Days, Tuesdays and Saturdays.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson: “A Traffic Regulation Order, made in 2010, is currently in place which designates part of High Street in Ledbury for the market on Tuesday and Saturdays between 7am and 5pm. Under the previous 2006 oder, parking in the area was restricted for the market up until 7pm.

"Enforcement officers have to be consistent and enforce the parking regulations fairly. Officers cannot ignore the parking restrictions in one area of High Street but enforce another area slightly further up the same street. Enforcement officers need to have a consistent approach."

The spokesman added: "There are no plans to completely remove parking restrictions around the Market, but the Town Council and Local Members have asked that consideration be given to a reduction in the times for the operation of the market from 5pm to 2pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This is currently being investigated by our highways contractor, Balfour Beatty Living Places.”