Residents who were suddenly told they could not park their cars on the kerb outside their homes are likely to see the decision reversed by their council.

Some of those living in Green Lane, Stanmore, were given notices last month informing them that, from February 1, they would be fined for parking on the street.

This was despite them having done so for “as long as anyone can remember”.

After complaints from the neighbours concerned, and work from ward councillor Marilyn Ashton, Harrow Council said it hopes to resolve the matter.

A spokesman for the council said: “At the present time it is not legal to park on the pavement here – although we are aware that it has been going on for a number of years without any enforcement action by us.

“We are sympathetic to the difficulties that residents experience with parking and we are now working with them towards a long-term solution.

“We look forward to receiving a petition from residents that can start the process of changing the rules in the road.”

He added that the initial parking review was taken following a complaint from a pedestrian.

Cllr Ashton said she was pleased that the matter was moving forward, though said she will not be completely satisfied until it is fully resolved.

She added that the whole episode was symptomatic of a lack of common sense shown by the council on several occasions.

“Instead of frightening the lives out of these people by slapping warnings on their cars, why didn’t they just ask me about it?” she said.

“That would have been the obvious thing to do but, instead, we’ve had to really push them to change things.

“It’s a bit of a common theme and it beggars belief. These people were quite upset and there’s such a lack of empathy. High-handedness and jobsworth are two terms that spring to mind.”

She expressed some sympathy with the parking situation in the borough – and pointed out that she would not normally advocating parking on the kerb when alternatives are available.

But she noted that, as a council, it has a duty to “support and engage with people” and that, sometimes, this requires “common sense”.