A recent spike in penalty notices dished out to motorists illegally parked around Verulamium Park in St Albans has prompted a call for drivers to use city centre car parks if closer ones are full.

On one Sunday in May, 81 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued, mainly to motorists parked on grass verges and access roads around the Westminster Lodge car park on a day when there was a mini heatwave.

St Albans council has recognised that demand for car parking spaces within the park can exceed the supply during warm weather spells and throughout the school holidays. Both the Verulamium Museum and Westminster Lodge car parks fill up quickly at busy times and parking on the verges of Bluehouse Hill has now been banned.

The council is calling on motorists to use city centre car parks such as Drovers Way, Gombards and the Civic Centre if the two car parks closer to the park are full.

Portfolio holder for community engagement, Cllr Beric Read, said: “Verulamium Park has a fantastic amount to offer people and becomes very popular during the summer.

“The amount of car parking within the park is more than adequate for most of the year, but at peak periods in the summer it can get full.

“Motorists need to be aware that if they do park illegally in restricted or prohibited zones such as grass verges, then they risk getting a ticket.”

He went on: “Parking in this way introduces the risk of accidents both for the motorists and other park users. There is also a danger it will damage verges with the cost of repairs having to be met by council taxpayers

“Fortunately, though, there are alternative car parks within the city centre just a few minutes away. We urge people to make use of them rather than risk getting a ticket.”