We’re furious after a council worker parked on double yellow lines blocking bus stop – but just get a ‘talking to’

RESIDENTS were furious after a council worker parked their car on double yellow lines - and didn't get a ticket.

The vehicle, bearing the Blackburn with Darwen Council logo, was left outside a health centre blocking a bus stop, but all they got was a "talking to".

Locals spotted the Skoda Octavia estate in Police Street, Darwen, on Monday evening.

But after snapping a picture of the illegally parked car and reporting it to the council, bosses said staff would just get a ticking off.

One man, who spotted the dodgy parking, described the lack of punishment as "hypocritical" as the public are regularly fined for similar behaviour.

He told the : "It’s plain and simple hypocrisy.

"The council are always punishing people and collecting money through fines for exactly this type of thing.

"Not only was the car on double-yellows, but it was also blocking access to the bus stop."

Justifying the lack of penalty, Martin Eden, strategic director of environment and operations at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the council worker had been "delivering and collecting mail".

But he stopped short of apologising, instead advising that he would urge other council employees not to do the same.

He said: "The council vehicle in question was parked at Darwen Health Centre for less than two minutes collecting and delivering the mail.

"The council in no way condones parking on double yellow lines which is why we have reminded colleagues to park in the Health Centre car park in future, and if no space is available in the car park, to drive on to the next mail collection point and return later in the day."