Bus driver hits out at council enforcement vehicle parked in bus-only lane near South Shields school

Adam Baker says the council shouldn't be able to park ‘wherever they want’ after he spotted a enforcement vehicle, with a camera attached to the top, parked in a restricted bus and cycle only lane.

But the council says the vehicle is exempt from ‘usual parking restrictions’ when enforcement duties are being carried out.

They say the vehicle was in place following a ‘high number’ of complaints of dangerous and illegal parking in the area.

The bus driver spotted the car parked in the bus and cycle only lane near St Wilfrid’s Comprehensive School, on Temple Park Road, on Monday, December 9 at around 3.15pm.

The 29-year-old, who lives in South Shields, said: “The council vehicle was parked there while students from St Wilfrid’s Comprehensive School were picked up. I don’t know how long it was there for in total.

“I spoke to the council about it and they said the vehicle is exempt from the restrictions – it seems like a rule for one and a rule for another.

“I think it’s a disgrace that the council think they can park wherever they want.

“If it was normal member of the public it’s a £60 fine. Why should the enforcement officer be parking there, when that is what they’re there to enforce. They should park properly and do the patrol on foot.”

But South Tyneside Council say they have received a ‘large number’ of complaints relating to illegal and dangerous parking in the area outside the comprehensive school, which is why the enforcement vehicle was parked there.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: "We have received a large number of complaints in this area relating to illegal and dangerous parking.

"As a result our vehicle was there to ensure enforcement action was undertaken. The vehicle is exempt from the usual parking restrictions when carrying out enforcement duties."