​Residents have accused Cheltenham authorities of double standards when it comes to parking illegally.

Vehicles belonging to police and borough council officers have been seen parked on double yellow lines in St Paul’s Road, causing an obstruction to pedestrians and passing traffic.

The authorities say, under rules set out by the Road Traffic Act, their staff can only park illegally in the case of an emergency.

But a member of the St Paul’s Residents Association, who wanted to remain anonymous, says he witnessed authority staff parking in the no-go zones to conduct everyday business – one council officer even stopped illegally to hand out a parking fine.

“I couldn’t believe it. I watched as a parking enforcement officer stopped on double yellows before sticking a parking fine on another vehicle,” he said.

“St Paul’s Road is very narrow and gets congested at the best of times. But when it’s the authorities who are supposed to be enforcing parking laws parking illegally, questions have got to be asked.”

Photos showing the vehicles parked on double yellow lines next to the junction with Brunswick Street have been submitted to the Echo.

In both cases the witness said there was nothing to indicate officers were responding to an emergency.

“They need to be made accountable for their actions,” he added.

“We can’t have them parking wherever they want with impunity. There should be the same rules for them as for everyone else.”

Nichola Morrison, landlady at St Paul’s Tavern, said people parking illegally in St Paul’s Road was a problem, although she had never seen police or council staff doing it.

“It can be a nightmare. People sometimes park on double yellow lines outside the pub and in the loading bay in front,” he said.

“It creates a big problem for our delivery vehicles and stops the flow of traffic.”

A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said without knowing the exact date and time of when the photograph was taken it was impossible to verify whether officers using the vehicle were responding to an emergency. He said: “Our officers are mindful of obeying the law.”

Councillor John Morris, cabinet member for built environment, said the same parking regulations should apply to everyone, apart from in exceptional circumstances. The only time it would be okay for a council vehicle to park on double yellows would be if it is essential for health and safety reasons.

DISGRUNTLED residents have accused Cheltenham authorities of double standards when it comes to parking illegally.

Vehicles belonging to police and borough council officers have been seen parked on double yellow lines in St Paul’s Road, causing an obstruction to pedestrians and passing traffic.

The authorities say, under rules set out by the Road Traffic Act, their staff can only park illegally in the case of an emergency.

But a member of the St Paul’s Residents Association, who wanted to remain anonymous, says he witnessed authority staff parking in the no-go zones to conduct everyday business – one council officer even stopped illegally to hand out a parking fine.

“I couldn’t believe it. I watched as a parking enforcement officer stopped on double yellows before sticking a parking fine on another vehicle,” he said.

“St Paul’s Road is very narrow and gets congested at the best of times. But when it’s the authorities who are supposed to be enforcing parking laws parking illegally, questions have got to be asked.”

Photos showing the vehicles parked on double yellow lines next to the junction with Brunswick Street have been submitted to the Echo.

In both cases the witness said there was nothing to indicate officers were responding to an emergency.

“They need to be made accountable for their actions,” he added.

“We can’t have them parking wherever they want with impunity. There should be the same rules for them as for everyone else.”

Nichola Morrison, landlady at St Paul’s Tavern, said people parking illegally in St Paul’s Road was a problem, although she had never seen police or council staff doing it.

“It can be a nightmare. People sometimes park on double yellow lines outside the pub and in the loading bay in front,” he said.

“It creates a big problem for our delivery vehicles and stops the flow of traffic.”

A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said without knowing the exact date and time of when the photograph was taken it was impossible to verify whether officers using the vehicle were responding to an emergency. He said: “Our officers are mindful of obeying the law.”

Councillor John Morris, cabinet member for built environment, said the same parking regulations should apply to everyone, apart from in exceptional circumstances. The only time it would be okay for a council vehicle to park on double yellows would be if it is essential for health and safety reasons.