TEIGNMOUTH police officers are parking on double yellow lines because building work at the police station has left the car park 'out of bounds'. The station, in Carlton Place, has been sold to developers for luxury apartments. Officers are still working from the building, but response officers with nine vehicles have to vie for four on-road spaces. The news comes in response to photographs published last week of vehicles parked on double-yellow lines. Insp Jon Perry said that he cannot condone the behaviour, but understands why the officers are parking where 'it is not strictly permitted by law'. 'The officers know my feelings on this and I and the sergeants here do not support it. 'But they are response vehicles and there is a duty of care to the public that when they make an emergency call, officers are able to deal with it quickly rather than having to walk for 10 or 15 minutes to where their car is parked,' he said. Service vehicles are using the rear car park for works on the site. Insp Perry said that they should have access to some of the car park in the near future that should 'ease the problem slightly'. 'This clearly shows that this police station is no longer fit for purpose. Everyone is aware of that and that is why it was sold. 'But until we resolve problems with alternative sites, we have to make do in the meantime,' he said. The police authority has identified prospective sites near Shutterton Industrial Estate, Dawlish, and New Road, Teignmouth.
