Contradictory parking signs erected by Barnet Council have been blasted as “so confusing it’s almost calculated” by a fuming motorist issued with parking fines.

Restrictions in Rotherwick Road, near to Golders Green Tube station, are explained by more than 20 parking signs.

But some boards erected to enforce the measures showed conflicting times for parking restrictions, leaving motorists confused and traffic wardens free to issue fines as they saw fit.

The sign on the right hand side of the road correctly stated that residents’ parking was in force from 11am to 1pm, but the one directly opposite had differing times, from 11am to noon.

Any motorist who parked on the road between noon and 1pm following advice on the left hand sign may have been fined.

After complaints, Barnet Council apologised and assured drivers it was an innocent mistake.

The council claimed one sign had somehow found itself “the wrong way round” while the other sign further down the road was simply “put in the wrong location”.

A spokesman said: “We were made aware that a time plate indicating a residents’ bay was in the wrong location on October 2.

“We are in the process of correcting the sign and we have cancelled two parking tickets which were issued at this location during this financial year.

“We would ask residents who feel that they have wrongly received a ticket at this location to contact our customer service team.”

Lawyer Ian Fagelson was lumbered with fines totalling £220 after falling foul of the botched signs.

The 61-year-old, of Hampstead Garden Suburb, said: “This is one of the most complicated parking areas I’ve come across – you need a degree to understand it.

“It’s obvious more needs to be done in the area to make it easier to understand, as at the moment it’s become so complicated it’s almost calculated.

“But I’m adamant I’m going to receive a refund for both my tickets. It’s clear the council’s made a complete balls-up again.”

This is not the first time the borough’s parking controls have come under the spotlight.

Not long ago the council was forced to issue a mass refund, at a cost thought to be close to £2million, following a landmark High Court battle brought by residents furious over the raising of charges in controlled parking zones.

The Ham&High also recently reported how almost 1,500 parking tickets had been issued in one year at just one poorly-marked loading bay in Market Place, thought to generate between £89,400 and £178,000.

Any resident who thinks they may have been affected by the signs in Rotherwick Road should contact the council’s customer service teach on 020 8359 7446.