An enraged motorist caught out by a controversial traffic restriction in Surbiton is launching a class action lawsuit, with Kingston Council having made almost £2m in fines through the scheme.

More than 28,000 fines - totalling £1,853,800 - have been issued to drivers passing through Surbiton Crescent since it was closed as a traffic calming measure in November - a scheme which prompted outrage from residents.

Opposition councillors have also been approached by a resident who has successfully appealed against a fine, with the parking adjudicator allegedly citing “unclear signage”.

From December 2016: 'Diabolical' traffic-calming scheme in Surbiton has made £500k in fines in just one week

From September 2017: 'It's part of our heritage': Protesters fight on as councillors vote to demolish New Malden roundabout for mini-Holland cycle tracks

Richard Grosvenor, 68, of Sopwith Close, in north Kingston, was twice caught out by the closure while driving home in late November.

Outraged at the scheme, he is now hoping to find about 100 fellow aggrieved motorists to join him for a class action lawsuit and sue Kingston Council.

He said: “To think that 10,000 to 15,000 motorists were caught in the first few weeks of this scheme makes it very clear that whatever publicity was put out wasn’t adequate.

“They say this is part of a big scheme to help cyclists. Whatever the council say I feel very strongly - It’s a cash cow.

“You need eyes in the back of your head to drive in Kingston because there are so many rules and regulations. It’s been done in very bad taste.”

Surrey Comet:

Drivers have complained that the signs are not clear enough

The trial closure allows only cyclists and buses to use the road as a cut through as part of Kingston Council’s £33m mini-Holland cycling scheme.

The traffic restriction made more than £500,000 in its first week from 8,055 penalty charge notices, with residents having to pay a minimum fine of £65 if caught out.

The influx of fines led some residents to brand the scheme “diabolical”, with many criticising the signage for being “completely inadequate”.

Kingston Council has defended the scheme, claiming that the road plays a “key part” of the cycle route and that warning notices were issued to drivers from September.

But opposing Liberal Democrats councillors claim that one resident successfully appealed a fine and have now called for the council to pay back motorists.

From October 2015: As work on the first mini-Holland cycle scheme gets underway in Kingston we look at how the other boroughs are spending the cycling money

From June 2016: Is this the future for Kingston's cyclists? Consultations launched into £33m mini-Holland proposals

Leader Liz Green said: “Residents have complained bitterly about the controversial temporary restriction which was introduced by the council.

“It has been badly implemented from start to finish. I'm pleased the parking adjudicator, having looked at the evidence, agrees the signage is unclear.

“This is a win for common sense and I think the Tories will now have to pay everyone back who has been issued with a fine.”

Surrey Comet:

Kingston Council are hoping to introduce European-style cycle tracks across the borough

According to Kingston Council’s website, as of Monday, January 30 nine out of 36 penalty charge notices reviewed by a parking adjudicator were successfully overturned and 27 have been upheld.

Mr Grosvenor says he lost his appeal and is hoping to open the lawsuit as soon as he has the funding.

Introduced in the UK in 2017, class action lawsuits allow one person to sue on behalf a group for compensation.

Mr Grosvenor added: “I’ve been doing that journey for 17 years - the signage wasn’t adequate and it wasn’t publicized adequately.

“My problem is that I’m one person, not certainly well financially so I can’t afford legal action. We need to fund an appropriate lawyer – I know my way around the law.

“If 100 people came forward or 50 people came forward it would be doable.”

Kingston Council will consult with Transport for London on whether to make the trial scheme permament after assessing the results of the trial.

The mini-Holland proposals, officially called Go-Cycle by the council, have been plagued by difficulties, with councillors abandoning proposals to demolish New Malden's Fountain Roundabout amid fierce protests.

Kingston MP James Berry has joined the critics of the scheme, calling on the council to donate the money to charity.

Anyone wanting to join the lawsuit should email Mr Grosvenor on mrg@write-angle.co.uk.