AS I rode my motorcycle towards Crediton Post Office down Market Street at about 1pm on Friday, February 17, I observed a van parked on double yellow lines adjacent to the Ship Inn, close to the junction, which placed it in a dangerous position and non compliant with highway code and traffic law.

I parked outside the Post Office and returned to the junction and took a number of photos.

Whilst taking the photos, the van's driver approached and spoke to me in what I feel was an aggressive manner, demanding to know what the problem was?

I replied "no problem", and he then asked if I wanted a photo of him with his number? He pulled his jacket to one side to show his number. He then said he had been dealing with an incident.

At no time did I observe an incident, traffic was flowing on the main street and I was not aware of any police or ambulance presence.

I then returned to and entered the Post Office, where I queued for approximately 15 minutes. During this time I observed the driver of the van look at my motorcycle and then sit on a bench, behind a car, opposite my motorcycle, where he remained as I left the Post Office at 1.24pm, mounted the motorcycle and rode off.

It appeared that he might be waiting to see whether I overstayed the allowed parking time.

John Groves

East Village

Crediton

RESPONSE FROM COUNCIL:

'I do not consider that he (civil

enforcement officer) acted incorrectly'

• THE following reply has been received from Adrian Cook, Mid Devon District Council's On Street Parking manager.

He says: Following receipt of the letter from Mr Groves, I investigated the matter complained of.

When the Civil Enforcement Officer arrived at Crediton High Street on Friday last week, at 13.08pm, he was confronted with a major tailback of traffic.

He noted that a car was parked in a loading bay which, in turn, caused a lorry to be double parked. To enable him to resolve this incident promptly he parked in Market Street on double yellow lines, where he was observed by Mr Groves.

I consider that the officer was correct to act promptly in resolving the traffic tailback and that he neither parked dangerously nor illegally.

Within the Devon County Council (Traffic Regulation and On Street Parking Places) Order 2010, Amendment No2. 2011, under general exemption from prohibitions and restrictions, it states that an officer is exempt from parking restrictions when involved with the removal of any obstruction to traffic.

When the officer had resolved the issue on High Street I understand that he moved his vehicle to the Market Street car park.

He then left the vehicle to sit on a bench to write up his notes on the incident. I do not consider that he acted incorrectly.