A motorist has claimed victory over an "illegal" parking ticket which was repealed after he discovered the bays were too small.

Mick Ryan, 73, dropped off a passenger on a red route outside Caffè Nero in West Wickham High Street - and was slapped with a parking ticket by Transport for London (TfL).

However, after his appeal was refused he was successful in getting it overturned after an adjudicator hearing last week.

A former highways engineer for Croydon, Mr Ryan knew road measurements like the back of his hand and thought something was amiss.

After receiving the ticket via camera in September, he returned armed with his measuring tape to discover the bays were grossly inaccurate.

Widower Mr Ryan said: "I pulled in there to drop someone off, I was there for less than a minute and they gave me a ticket even though I didn't get out the car or turn the engine off.

"I phoned them up and they said I would have to write to them. I said if I'm going to write in I’m going all the way."

The adjudicator's letter states: "I am allowing this appeal because of the extent of the deviation, which, in my view amounts to substantial non-compliance.

"This is non-compliance of a significant nature."

The minimum width for bay markings is 600mm, yet Mr Ryan found some measuring only 270mm and 290mm. The decision by the adjudicator comes after his initial appeal was thrown out.

Mr Ryan, who drives a red Ford Mondeo, added: "I wrote in and they [TfL] sent all their evidence - but they didn't measure the bays. They refused to cancel it but they didn't even offer to check the bay."

This was also noted by the adjudicator, which in the same letter says: "TfL does not address the detailed evidence of Mr Ryan from his site inspection."

Mr Ryan, from New Addington, now wants TfL to refund all the money from parking tickets issued there.

He added: "They need to pay all the people back that they've charged illegally.

"They have to abide by the same rules as us; it can't be one rule for and another for them.

"The problem is they will repaint the lines now, but I think a lot more are wrong."

TfL general manager of road user charging, Paul Cowperthwaite, said: "We will be requesting a review of the PATAS decision.

"We are content that the markings are both clear to drivers and legally placed."

Have you parked there and received a ticket? Get in touch on Rebecca.Flood@london.newsquest.co.uk or 01689885725