A WANSTEAD resident is fighting to have a driving charge overturned as he claims fines issued by 'spy cars' are invalid without proper warning notices.

Barry Crace, 64, of New Wanstead Road, is calling on residents to challenge fines issued by CCTV-equipped Smart cars, after a tribunal deemed them “invalid” without proper signage.

Last week, Rachel Johnson had her charges quashed against New Brighton Council as she received no warning about the periscope-mounted cameras on the cars, which are used to catch drivers flouting parking laws.

The tribunal concluded that it is a legal requirement for notices saying “camera enforcement in operation” to be displayed for fines to be valid.

Service engineer Mr Crace is contesting a fine he received from Waltham Forest Council two weeks ago, and says many of his friends have been stung by the spy cars in and around Redbridge.

He said: “I have seen no signs anywhere that say that these cars are in operation and if charges are overturned for one then they should be for all.

“Lots of people I know have received fines and, in turn, lots of people they know have too.

“If people don't know about this case [Rachel Johnson] then they will just pay them automatically, but I don't think they should do.”

This week the Guardian revealed that more than 1,800 motorists have been slapped with fines by Redbridge Council in the first month of it using new CCTV enforcement powers.

Ever since July 1 the authority has had the power to use cameras to catch drivers flouting both parking and moving traffic offences.

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: “There are no fixed signs specifically for the use of the Smart car, although all fixed cameras do have signs.  “The code of practice does not require fixed signs for the Smart car, relying on the signage on the car itself.   “This has worked well across London, where some councils have been employing CCTV enforcement vehicles for some while now.”

Waltham Forest Council is yet to comment on Mr Crace's appeal.