Islington Council faced having to pay back more than £1million of traffic fines issued at a controversial width restriction.

More than 9,000 penalties were dished out at the restriction in Drayton Park, Highbury, in the space of four months.

But the town hall was ordered to pay the money back to anyone who appealed – after the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service ruled they had been issued illegally.

Road signs weren’t in line with the actual traffic order, and Cllr Terry Stacy, leader of Islington’s Lib Dem opposition, said: “The incompetence of this council is mindblowing. Heads should roll over this.”

The width restriction was installed in May 2012 to stop lorries using it as a rat-run. And it also led to a string of car accidents.

A council spokesman said: “The order is now being changed. We’re very sorry for the confusion and disruption. We will refund any incorrect tickets.”