It’s called the law of unexpected consequences.

In May this year, Maidstone council erected signs in Worcester Road, Shepway, warning motorists that they were not allowed to park on the grass verge.

It took a while and several householders had to pay hefty fines, but in the end residents got the message and now leave their cars in the road - where there are no parking restrictions.

But on Friday, a refuse collection vehicle was unable to wend its way between the parked cars and gave up half-way, leaving the rubbish from 17 properties uncollected.

Cllr Malcolm McKay (Lab), who represents Shepway South, said: “Obviously no-one ought to park on the verge, but residents were doing so with a reason, to leave the road clear.

“On Friday, the cars were not double-parked, but the refuse-lorry driver decided he couldn’t manoeuvre around the vehicles.

“You have to ask, what if this had been an ambulance or a fire engine trying to get through in an emergency?”

Cllr McKay said Worcester Road residents were also asking why they had been picked out for special treatment. He said: “Worcester Road is a cul-de-sac of 1950s semis. No other road on Shepway has had these No Parking notices erected. It does seem a bit Draconian in the circumstances.”

He asked: “Is the council trying out a new money-making wheeze?

“Certainly the majority of those who live in Worcester Road are totally against the fining of residents and visitors for parking on the verge.”

Stacey Turner, 29, of Worcester Road, said: “We’ve had one fine. We were getting our trailer-tent ready to go on holiday on our drive, so we moved our car out. It was parked across our own entrance-way, but slightly onto the verge.

“I don’t see there’s any need to fine people. Parking has never previously been a problem here.”