TRAFFIC wardens placed tickets on prop vehicles in Chester last week during the filming of a new movie which stars triple Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis.

Yellow PCN’s were spotted on several 1980s cars on Wednesday (October 2), which were being used as part of the backdrop for a scene in the upcoming film, Anemone.

The film, which counts Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley and Safia Oakley-Green among its cast, has been filmed across various locations in the North West over recent weeks.

However, as the production crew arrived in Handbridge, several of the prop vehicles which had been parked on double yellow lines received tickets from wardens on Overleigh Road.

The film company is understood to have had a road closure permit rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council on the basis that it would place too much pressure on nearby roads in Handbridge, given other roadworks.

Handbridge Park Cllr Matt Carter posted a response from the Council on Facebook saying: “Highways had not approved [the parking] and have had a meeting with the filming company to advise what permission were required which have not been requested. They had also applied for a full road closure which had been refused.

“In addition, the Parking Services Manager has recently provided the following information for a similar enquiry

“The vehicles granted permission are providing technical support for a feature film being filmed in Chester.”

Technical support vehicles were located nearby and in the Old Boys Club car park.

Cllr Carter adds: “Cheshire West is a film friendly borough and supports where possible all filming in partnership with the national film office. Careful consideration is always given to each request and in this case, not all of the production requests could be permitted as they would have put too much pressure on the busy roads.

“The production company is responsible for letting residents know what they are doing and ensure a minimum of disruption, wider publicity doesn’t take place to allow the production to reduce traffic and sightseers. In the majority of cases notifications are shared with Highways, Events, CCTV, Cheshire Police and Cllr Leader.”

The Cllr also said that the original road closure request included the whole of Overleigh Road and Eaton Road, and felt the rejection was reasonable as the closure on Lower Bridge Street would have effectively “cut off” routes into and out of Handbridge.

Several residents have shared their views on social media, with many saying the decision to ticket the vehicles was “petty” and that the incident make the area seem “unwelcoming” for future filming projects.

Anemone represents a return to acting for Daniel Day-Lewis who will be directed by his son and co-writer, Ronan Day-Lewis.

The film “explores the intricate relationships between fathers, sons and brothers, and the dynamics of familial bonds” according to production company Focus Features.