A WORCESTER motorist slapped with a parking ticket while she was at the doctors has spoken of her fury - saying a parked transit van was blocking her view of a warning sign.

Alison Parkinson, of Fernill Heath, says Worcester City Council has turned Hebb Street in Barbourne into a "nightmare" by making it largely residents-only.

Back in May the council decided to make it a permit holders street, despite it being a popular parking area for those visiting the nearby Albany House Surgery in Albany Terrace.

Mrs Parkinson says a large transit van, parked illegally, was blocking the view of what she calls a "tiny" blue sign at the top of the street informing drivers of the change.

She even claims the parking inspector who gave her the ticket urged her to appeal, only for it to be turned down by the council.

The 57-year-old, of Sling Lane, said: "I was totally unaware when I parked alongside the hairdressers in Hebb Street that the road had been designated permit holders only since May.

"I took pains not to park on double yellow lines and squeezed between a lorry delivering to the fish and chip shop and a blue transit van, obscuring a tiny sign saying permit holders only.

"When I came out of the doctors 10 or 15 minutes later I couldn't believe it, an inspector was giving me a ticket.

"I said 'where is the sign?', and he pointed to a small one right down the other end of the street.

"The road appeared exactly the same, I had no way of knowing. I didn't inconvenience anybody, I thought I was doing the right thing and I'm just so annoyed."

She said the inspector even gave his sympathy and encouraged her to appeal, but it was refused.

"He was very nice to me, he even said you wouldn't have seen the sign and said I should appeal," she said.

"It feels like because I've tried to be responsible I've been fined £35."

She says she only parks there because the doctors surgery does not have any.

The council says as well as signs on both sides of the street, there are some posters on lampposts alerting people to the recent changes.

A spokesman said: "There are two signs on either side of the road at the entrance to Hebb Street, stating that parking is for permit holders only.

"There are also posters on lamp posts in the street too.

"Worcestershire County Council, which is responsible for road signs, has confirmed that these conform to the government’s Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2002."