Bolton Council says parking warden CAN park on double yellow lines

The car, which was parked up close to Pikes Lane School on Gibraltar Street, was also parked on the pavement, making it more difficult for parents with pushchairs to get past.

Bolton Council said the car has special dispensation and is exempt from punishment.

Mum-of-two Zaynub Aya took the pictures of the car after herself being issued with a fine.

The 36-year-old had arrived early to pick her children up from the school when she was given a parking ticket.

She claims she was not parked on double yellow lines and was waiting for the person in front of her to leave so she could take the space. She says that at no point did she leave her car.

She added: “I got a ticket for moving forward as a car was leaving in front of me yet they’re parked on double yellow lines, which I think is unfair.

“If I was parked there, I would happily pay it but I was just moving forward to take the space of the vehicle in front of me. I’m not paying £70 for something that I haven’t done.

“Why is it one rule for one and one rule for everyone else?

"We pay all the same things like road tax and council tax so what do they pay that makes it different?”

Ms Aya appealed the ticket but was told that the £70 charge would be upheld. The council said it had been standard practice for enforcement cars to park on double yellows since they were brought into use in 2009.

A council spokesperson said: “This is not a new initiative ­— the car has been in use for more than 10 years and has always had dispensation to park on double yellow lines. In the course of their duties, civil enforcement officers are also legally permitted to park in restricted areas.

“This has been common practice for the last decade with the mobile CCTV car, which has been helping to make Bolton’s roads safer. The car can only be used for essential enforcement at school keep clear zones and bus stops.

"If a motorist feels a fine has been issued in error they can appeal."