The authority says vans can park on lines for specific reasons, such as giving people tickets for parking on lines
A driving instructor was “outraged” to see a parking warden leave their van on double yellow lines – but the local council insists it was all above board. John Allison took a picture of the scene outside his home in Russell Street, Dover, where a double yellow line is in place as otherwise emergency vehicles are obstructed from getting past.
“Do they give themselves a ticket?” the 48-year-old asked. “My gut instinct was that it was a double standard. I’ve seen other cars get tickets for exactly the same thing. You see so many other cars getting parking tickets for stopping there, even just for a few minutes. My feeling is that it’s just a bit outrageous that they feel like they can park there.”
Mr Allison says he took the picture just before 11am on Friday, May 29. His frustration is exacerbated because he can’t get a parking permit to use the bays on the other side of his street. He says he has to either park in the neighbouring St James’ Retail and Leisure Park or on residential streets further away, meaning he needs to walk some distance to and from his car.
Parking wardens, officially known as civil enforcement officers (CEOs), are employed by Dover District Council (DDC). A spokesperson said: “Parking services were carrying out operational duties at this time, which included loading and unloading from the vehicle, which is permitted under the regulations.”
According to the RAC, parking on double yellows while loading and unloading “may be permitted, providing you can be seen doing so continuously”. It is not allowed if there are specific restrictions against it, indicated either by signage or yellow ‘kerb dashes’.
In a similar incident elsewhere in Kent two years ago, parking wardens in Whitstable came under fire for leaving their vehicle on double yellow lines to issue a ticket to someone else, sparking an investigation by Canterbury City Council.
One officer told the person filming them that they could stop there in an emergency. When asked what that was, they said: “To give that ticket.”
