A TRAFFIC warden has been accused of putting lives at risk — by parking on zig-zag lines close to a pedestrian crossing.

Eagle-eyed motorist Jos-eph McClaine spotted the traffic warden’s van in Rochdale Road, Bury.

Mr McClaine, aged 55, of Bond Street, Bury, took a photograph of the vehicle at 5.40pm on October 31, as the warden went to book another motorist.

He said: “It was parked for five minutes while one of the traffic wardens ticketed a vehicle.

“This is highly dan-gerous for pedestrians, who might think that, although the red man is showing at the crossing, it’s acceptable to cross the road when, in fact, their vision is obscured by the parked vehicle.

“Also, drivers would not be able to see the pedestrian. They could stray half way across the road and, before you know it, you have a fatality.”

Mr McClaine added: “I fully understand the need for traffic wardens and the service that they are supposed to provide. Unfortunately, this is overstepping the mark.”

Parking enforcement is carried out on behalf of Bury Council by NSL.

A council spokesman said: “NSL has assured us that, since this incident occurred, they have issued a strong reminder to staff of their responsibilities, so we hope that similar occurrences will not happen in future.”

The incident happened three days after a similar scenario in Prestwich.

On that occasion, Lois McTighe, of Tintern Avenue, Whitefield, took a picture of a traffic warden’s car parked outside of the lines of a parking bay next to the Longfield Centre, while the warden was ticketing another motorist for the same thing.

According to the council, civil enforcement officers are legally allowed to park their vehicles in contra-vention of the normal parking restrictions while carrying out enforcement duties.

However, if there is available space, they would be expected to park appropriately in accord-ance with the usual rules.