AN ANGRY motorist says he can no longer park outside his York home because the city's new traffic wardens are too strict.

Joe Kilmartin, of Heworth Road, received two parking tickets within four days when he parked in a space covering the driveway of his own house.

In two years of parking in the same place, Mr Kilmartin has never received a parking ticket. He said he was unaware that the yellow lines on the road itself also prohibited him from parking in front of his drive.

He blames City of York Council's new parking wardens, who took over traffic enforcement from North Yorkshire Police last year, for imposing what he calls a "ridiculous" situation. He added: "The whole traffic situation is ridiculous. I cannot park in front of my own house now.

"I need to park in front of my neighbours' house, where the yellow lines stop. This means there is more congestion on the road, and I need to get out of my car in the middle of the road, which can be dangerous."

Heworth councillor Viv Kind stepped in to help Mr Kilmartin appeal against the second of the parking tickets. She said: "I appealed on the basis that he did not know about the strict enforcement of the rules.

"Since the council has taken the enforcement over from the police, the yellow lines policy has become a lot stricter. This is because the police did not have the staff to be this strict.

"The problem now is that people have to get out of habits that they have had for years."

She added that problems which had arisen since the change of wardens had led to calls for a review of the situation, which will take place later this year.

A spokesman for the council said: "We are aware of the concerns, but the parking restrictions in that area are for the general good, including tackling congestion in what is a busy route. City of York Council tries to help residents with parking needs by encouraging the use of dropped kerbs, allowing residents access to parking within their own properties.

"Our understanding is that Mr Kilmartin has got access to his property and therefore has no need to park illegally."

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, July 03, 2001