A council investigation has been launched after a traffic warden was reportedly pictured parking on double yellow lines in Oldham to visit a cafe.

On Wednesday, resident Arron Jackson snapped a traffic enforcement van parked illegally on the side of Crompton Street "opposite to a sandwich shop" despite having "no reason to".

The 32-year-old said he has become increasingly frustrated by council staff after he witnessed a civil enforcement officer pop into Cookies Filling Station.

The Oldham Times: Cookies Filling Station is the 'cafe' that Arron Jackson told The Oldham Times that the traffic enforcement officer had visited while parked on double yellow linesCookies Filling Station is the 'cafe' that Arron Jackson told The Oldham Times that the traffic enforcement officer had visited while parked on double yellow lines (Image: Arron Jackson)

He said: "I'm getting quite cheesed off with the parking enforcement team at Oldham Council.

"When they are doing their job they are allowed to park on double yellow lines, but the other day I saw one of them park up on double yellows and go into a cafe.

I've been ticketed in the past so when I see them illegally parked and having a sandwich and a chit chat, it's really frustrating."

The Oldham Times: A traffic enforcement van, which issues tickets to residents parked on double yellow lines, pictured parking on them and visiting a cafe opposite, according to nearby resident Arron JacksonA traffic enforcement van, which issues tickets to residents parked on double yellow lines, pictured parking on them and visiting a cafe opposite, according to nearby resident Arron Jackson (Image: Arron Jackson)

Last month, The Oldham Times reported that a nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital had finished a long shift and returned to see a yellow penalty notice plastered on her vehicle - which she parked in the dedicated staff car park.

A nationwide petition was launched after staff at Oldham's infirmary complained that they had started to receive fines for parking at their place of work.

Mr Jackson added: "I've received one or two fines from them in the past so it just cheeses me off when I see them do it.

The Oldham Times: The traffic enforcement van, owned by Oldham Council, was pictured driving off the double yellow lines on Crompton StreetThe traffic enforcement van, owned by Oldham Council, was pictured driving off the double yellow lines on Crompton Street (Image: Arron Jackson)

"When the parking enforcement team come along and have a chit chat it's almost as frustrating as when you see the police do it!

"You see it all the time but this time it's really annoyed me."

However, Cllr Chris Goodwin, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said civil enforcement officers are "exempt from traffic orders while carrying out their duties".

He added: “We are investigating the allegations made and we appreciate this being brought to our attention.

“Parking enforcement officers are exempt from traffic orders when carrying out the duties of their role, however, we have always encouraged them to park where there are no restrictions, if possible, and officers will be reminded of this as part of our investigation.”

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