Residents can now be fined for parking outside their homes.
Traffic wardens will be patrolling streets looking for cars parked on verges and footpaths after a new by-law was implemented this week.
Of the 180 residential roads assessed by Milton Keynes Council, many have been earmarked for inclusion.
But the councillor at the helm of transport fears a ‘backlash’, and others have said punishing motorists is ‘completely the wrong solution’.
Signs prohibiting parking will go up in parts of the Lakes Estate, Filgrave, Emerson Valley, Neath Hill, Loughton, Shenley Lodge and Tattenhoe. It could see residents having to pay a £70 fine if found guilty.
This week the ban will start in the first two roads, Linford Avenue and Lakes Lane in Newport Pagnell.
Alan Mallyon, cabinet member for transport, said: “Of couse where it’s appropriate I’ve no problem with a by-law being passed to restrict parking on verges. But I do think we need to be very careful about regulations like this where we are going to affect people who want to park outside their own houses.
“Because of the terrible design of some of the estates residents are left with no other choice but to park in silly places.
“Are we going to be at a stage where auntie gets nicked for parking on a grass verge? I think there’s going to be backlash. I don’t want to sound like I’m not in support of regulations where appropriate, because people do take liberties.
But we’ve got to be a little bit more sensible.
There will be enforcement officers on residential streets. It’s not a job I envy.” The traffic regulation order covers the entire city meaning that it can be implemented in any street within four to eight weeks.
The council will consider all roads suggested for inclusion and must consult with parish councils and write to residents before the ban comes into force.
In new estates like Broughton and Monkston, narrow streets and a poor parking provision - often one space per houses - forces people to park off the road to let emergency vehicles through, according to Cllr John Bint.
He said: “This is completely the wrong solution.
People park where they do because new neighbourhoods have been designed with insufficient spaces. The neighbourhoods are designed in such a way that people are forced to park in the least stupid place. The right solution is to build enough spaces for the inevitable level of car ownership. It’s a really, really silly idea.
Residents are seriously upset about it.
“When I’m parking my car, does the council want me to think about not scuffing the grass or about allowing fire engines, ambulances, buses and bin lorries to get past?” Conservative Cllr Edward Butler Ellis, who welcomes the scheme outside schools in his Walton ward, fears the restrictions in some areas and not others will just ‘displace’ the problem elsewhere.
Leader Sam Crooks said it will be slowly introduced to different parts of the city, and fines will be a last resort.
He added: “It’s a problem that’s getting worse.
Underneath the verges are services which could get damaged, such as gas. This new scheme has to be introduced sensibly. We are playing it by ear.”
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