PARKED on double yellow lines, half on the pavement and obstructing a cycle lane, these council vans may look like they are flouting the law.

The Echo was alerted to the vans by cyclist Ben Donald who said he was forced to cycle into the path of traffic to get around them. 

 

@bournemouthecho I was cycling earlier and saw this. 5 Bmth Council Vans on double yellow lines in the cycle lane. 

— Ben Donald (@Bendy14) March 13, 2013

@bournemouthecho This is FORCING cyclists to endanger themselves by pulling out into the road. Wellington Rd 14.30. twitter.com/Bendy14/status…

— Ben Donald (@Bendy14) March 13, 2013

But Bournemouth council bosses have been quick to reassure residents these vehicles have special dispensation to park on the roadside at Wellington Road, Charminster.

In fact, the building maintenance department is paying £30 per vehicle for the right to park on double yellow lines – an opportunity the council says is open to any building contractor struggling to park.

Margaret Leslie, parking operations manager, said: “Building maintenance approached us to discuss difficulties they were facing with parking their vehicles as part of their plans to upgrade and improve a number of senior living properties in Wellington Road where there was insufficient off-road parking available.

“The works are necessary and in view of the fact the road is very wide in that location we were happy to give dispensation on this occasion for the vehicles to be parked on the roadside.”