Blackburn with Darwen Council says traffic wardens are permitted to park on double yellow lines while on duty, despite concerns from a disgruntled resident.
Blackburn with Darwen Council said civil enforcement officers (CEOs) are permitted to park on double yellow lines for safety reasons.
The clarification comes after a resident raised concerns following images that appeared to show a warden's vehicle parked near Shaw Street in Blackburn on January 12 and March 17.
The vehicle is parked on double yellow lines on both occasions.
Mohammed Patel, who shared the images, said: "On numerous occasions, I have witnessed Blackburn with Darwen parking attendants parking on double yellow lines whilst issuing parking tickets to other vehicles when there are suitable parking spaces [nearby].
"When the council were confronted with this, their excuse was that they were enforcing a parking ticket on another vehicle.
"I believe this is unjust and morally wrong."
Mohammed said it is "frustrating and feels unfair".
He said: "As a member of the public, you’re expected to follow the rules exactly or face a penalty, so to see enforcement officers not appearing to follow those same rules undermines confidence in the system.
"It gives the impression of a double standard, where one rule applies to the public and another to those enforcing it.
"That’s not how it should work, and it’s disappointing that the issue hasn’t been properly addressed.
“It’s one rule for the public and another for the people handing out fines — that’s not enforcement, that’s hypocrisy.”
Tony Watson, director of environment and resident services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said wardens are allowed to park on double yellow lines when carrying out enforcement duties.
He said the traffic wardens need a "safe haven" to return to while carrying out duties, and said 30 incidents of abuse have been reported to the council in the last year.
Mr Watson said: "We understand that civil enforcement officers parking on double yellow lines could be seen as contradictory; however, they have the authority to do so when carrying out enforcement activities.
"The main reason for this is so that they can remain close to their vehicle, to ensure that they have a safe haven to return to if needed, whilst carrying out their duties.
"This may seem like an overreaction; however, the figures speak for themselves. Sadly, in the past year, 30 incidents of physical abuse, verbal abuse or inappropriate behaviour have been reported by our Enforcement Officers."
According to the Highway Code, double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time unless signs indicate seasonal restrictions.
There are exemptions only for emergency vehicles being used for police, fire brigade, or ambulance purposes.
No such exemptions are listed for council enforcement vehicles in the Highway Code.
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