12:00pm Sunday 7th March 2010
AN eagle-eyed Echo reader spotted this council van parking illegally, or so she thought.
Rochford Council has defended its van driver, saying he wouldn’t have been breaking parking rules for another 16 minutes.
Emma Ambrose, of Highmead, Rayleigh, said: “This picture was taken outside Rayleigh Primary School and is a classic example of traffic wardens abusing their power.
“I think this is a disgusting abuse of their power. If I had parked in front or behind this vehicle I would have, without a doubt, received a ticket upon his return.”
She added: “He obviously feels he is exempt from obeying the Highway Code.”
But after examining the photograph, Rochford Council denied the driver had broken any rules.
Spokesman Patrick John said: “The picture was taken at 2.14pm.
“If you look at the yellow sign sign, it says the van could park there until 2.30pm, another 16 minutes.”
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