A Stoke Newington road is a blackspot for penalty charge notices, according to statistics provided by the council under a Freedom of Information request.

Nearly 500 motorists were issued with PCNs in Boleyn Road after being caught by three council-operated CCTV cameras contravening the road layout between the beginning of November and the end of January.

Meanwhile in nearby Cecilia Road, Dalston, 418 motorists were issued with PCNs over the same period.

Brooke Road, which runs from Stoke Newington to Dalston, was third with 223 PCNs issued to motorists.

In total, 1,248 PCNs were issued by CCTV enforcement in the 10 locations.

This is despite the fact that the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 stipulates that CCTV cars are supposed to be a visible deterrent.

Each PCN notice costs motorists £65 if paid within 14 days, which means that mobile CCTV enforcement vehicles may have generated at least £81,000 for the council in the 10 streets in three months. The council is not supposed to use this money for anything other than roads.

Many residents have complained of poor road marking in Boleyn Road.

Maurice Marco, of De Beauvoir Road, De Beauvoir spent months successfully fighting a PCN issued from a mobile CCTV camera in Boleyn Road.

He said: “This camera is the tip of the iceberg – a culture of deceit has got hold of our elected representatives.

“CCTV camera vans are meant to be visible means of improving road safety instead of being a licence to print money. In this instance the council took the opportunity of a deceitful road marking in order to trap motorists.

“I had to fight like a cornered rat in order to get this PCN cancelled.”

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Ian Sharer said: “I think they are very sneaky. People don’t know the rules and they often pay up when they shouldn’t pay up.”

Cllr Feryal Demirci, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “The council does not and cannot use its CCTV as a means for generating revenue, and the use of parking revenue is strictly controlled under these acts.

“When there are concerns about motorists abusing restrictions – which can pose a safety risk – the council will use its CCTV van and CCTV smart cars to stop this happening.” She added that this was only done in problem areas and that all residents had the right to appeal fines.

Our vehicles are only used in areas where parking is a problem, or if drivers’ compliance with road signs needs improving to avoid potentially dangerous situations. As always, any motorist who gets a ticket has the right to appeal if they feel it has been issued incorrectly.”