Traffic wardens armed with TORCHES leave motorists fuming after dishing out £50 fines at 1am

TRAFFIC wardens armed with torches have left motorists fuming by dishing out £50 fines at 1am.

They started working late on November 1 in a clampdown on illegal parkers.

But residents say the local council is interested only in making money, with one dubbing the move “disgusting”.

One told of being dazzled as he walked home in Gillingham, Kent, last week.

Craig Henderson said: “I was coming back from a night out and saw someone coming toward me with a torch.

“I couldn’t believe it was a traffic warden — it was past midnight.”

Steve Cromer said: “I saw a warden putting a ticket on a car at 10pm and he said he was on until 1am.

"They were ticketing cars parked in resident-only spots without a permit.

“The council didn’t alert anyone about this and it’s just a money-making scheme. It’s disgusting.”

Other residents said the problem is made worse by a lack of spaces after 5pm, which means drivers either park illegally or a long way from their homes.

Tickets have also been issued in nearby Strood and Chatham.

Medway Council said: “Illegal parking is not tolerated at any time and a penalty charge notice will be issued.

"Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee residents a space each day in the relevant parking zones and this is stated in the permit’s terms and conditions."