Parking officer stops on yellow line to fine drivers for doing the exact SAME thing
The traffic warden's car was spotted parked on a yellow line and next to a sign clearly displaying the parking ban - but council officials say the officer was within his rights to stop there
A PARKING officer has been caught stopping on a solid yellow line while trying to fine drivers for doing the exact same thing.
The warden pulled up in a Dorset County Council-branded car on a single yellow line where no parking was allowed at the time.
Locals are accusing the traffic warden of double standards after he started dishing out fines to motorists who had also parked on the same yellow line.
The council car was caught on camera in the middle of the day parked on the single yellow line in Christchurch, Dorset.
A warning sign on a lamppost next to the vehicle clearly states no parking is allowed between 10am and 7pm from April 1 to September 30.
Local resident Brian Chidgey said: "The reason for yellow lines is to keep the road clear from any obstruction, such as a parked vehicle, with the exception of loading or unloading or allowing passengers to alight or board.
"As you can clearly see from the photo, this road is narrow and this vehicle has created an obstruction.
"Even though it's the council's prerogative to enforce the regulations it doesn't send out the right message to the public.
"Perhaps the warden would be better walking, cycling or even using a motorcycle would be an option."
Another resident posted online: "One rule for them, one rule for us."
But according to Dorset County Council, the officer was within his rights to park on the line.
They said that just as a police car or fire engine can park in a restricted parking zone in the event of an emergency, wardens can do the same while executing their duties.
More parking peeves and rules
Paul Hutton, parking services team leader at Dorset County Council said: "Civil enforcement officers are mobile throughout their working day as they need to cover large areas of the county.
";On occasions, and in line with the council’s ratified parking policy, an enforcement officer can park on a yellow line whilst actively enforcing.
"Due to the nature of restricted zones, it would be difficult for an enforcement officer to find a location in which to park away from the area, in order to carry out their duty.
"There are a number of different circumstances when a vehicle - including parking enforcement and emergency services - can park in contravention of a Traffic Regulation Order while in the executing of their duties."