A fuming East Kilbride resident has hit out at South Lanarkshire Council over motorists continually flouting the law by parking on double yellow lines - including their own drivers.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, told Lanarkshire Live he has made numerous complaints to the local authority over selfish motorists blocking the exit road from St Leonards shopping centre by parking on double yellows.
And on his daily visits to the precinct, the St Leonards resident claimed he has even spotted council workers flouting the law "on several occasions" to grab a bite at the sandwich shop.
He said: "I have notified SLC a few times regarding trying to exit St Leonards Square.
"On a few occasions I have almost been late picking up my grandchildren from school because of vehicles parked on double yellow lines on the bend at the exit, holding up a delivery truck who couldn't get past them, creating a tailback.
"These vehicles are breaking the law, and the council do nothing. So much so, I sent them an email saying I now realise they won't do anything, because on several occasions, their own council vehicles were parked on the double yellow lines to use the sandwich shop.
"They [the council] said parking officers go about, but I haven't seen them. There will definitely be an accident at some point as the illegal parkers throw their doors open as cars are coming out of car park. All very annoying."
According to the Highway Code, vehicles making a commercial delivery or pick up are allowed to stop briefly on double yellow lines, but must be continuously loading or unloading the whole time they are parked.
There's also a time limit – 40 minutes for heavy goods vehicles and 20 minutes for light goods vehicles.
Drivers can pull over on double yellow lines to drop off or pick somebody up, as long as there are no stopping restrictions. They must make sure their van isn't blocking any traffic, roads or junctions.
Blue badge holders are allowed to park their van on double yellow lines for up to three hours.
SLC's head of roads and transportation, Colin Park, said additional patrols will be deployed in an effort to control the situation.
He said: “We are aware of complaints regarding this location and parking attendants are paying additional attention to it. Our colleagues in Police Scotland have also been made aware of concerns.
“It is anticipated that additional patrols will have a positive impact and reduce the likelihood of vehicles parking on the restrictions.
“Any vehicle which is observed by a parking attendant parked in contravention of the regulations will be issued with a penalty charge notice.”
Drivers who park on a yellow line when they aren't supposed to can be fined up to £70. The fine is usually halved if you pay within 14 days.
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