SPEED enforcers have been blasted for parking a camera van in a ‘barmy’ position on a street.

The van was parked facing oncoming traffic in High Street, Coedpoeth, in a heavily congested area and close to a new pedestrian crossing.

Resident David Jones claimed the camera van, operated by Go Safe, was parked on the wrong side of the road and said his photograph (left) proves it.

Mr Jones snapped the marked vehicle on the main road through Coedpoeth.

Mr Jones, of Llewelyn Road, said: “I am not against enforcing the speed limit at all, but it has to be done correctly. This clearly was not.

“It breaks the Highway Code. The van is on the wrong side of the road. It is a dangerous practice and this is a very busy route.

“The law is being broken. People who are supposed to be making the roads safer are putting drivers further at risk.”

Another villager, who did not want to be named, questioned the need for a speed camera van in such a congested area.

“The idea of a speed van here is just barmy. It is terribly congested with the supermarket and garage and most of the time drivers have to edge their way through and would have difficulty reaching 30mph,” he said.

“A safer and more sensible place would be just up the road after the Five Crosses pub. They would catch quite a few on that straight.”

A spokesman for Go Safe said: “We can confirm the vehicle was parked facing oncoming traffic.

“If the individual concerned wants to make a complaint he should do so by the appropriate channels.”

Commenting on the issue, Cllr Mark Davies said: “The position of the vehicle as shown in the picture would not appear to make much logical sense as it is parked quite close to the crossing where most vehicles would be slowing anyway.

“In addition there are more suitable locations which would not impede the traffic flow.

“However, I have not had any other calls or e-mails on this subject.”

Cllr Davies added: “I fully support any initiative which assists in the reduction of speed and helps make our High Street and indeed all our streets safer for pedestrians and other road users.

“One of the benefits of the new crossing in the village is that in addition to assisting pedestrians to cross safely it also serves to slow traffic down.”

Cllr Davies has also vowed to press for a change in one of the speed restrictions operating in his village.

He has received complaints over an apparent inconsistency in the speed limits on Talwrn Road, where it remains 40mph in the area where most of the houses and parked cars are then changes to 30mph on the way out of the village.

“I am not happy with the present speed restriction arrangements on the Talwrn Road which make no logical sense,” he said.

“This is an historical problem which I have raised with council officers many times.

“I am told the speed checks carried out do not justify a change from 40 to 30. Also we are awaiting new Welsh Assembly guidelines and could not have a new traffic order until they are published.

“I am not satisfied with this position and will continue to press for a consistent 30mph speed limit throughout the village.”