Parking row hits streets at Normans. BUDLEIGH Salterton residents tempted to turn vigilante traffic wardens are being warned off by police. The move comes after two drivers were targeted while parking on the public highway – finding notes on their car saying the road was private.

BUDLEIGH Salterton residents tempted to turn vigilante traffic wardens are being warned off by police.

The move comes after two drivers were targeted while parking on the public highway - finding notes on their car saying the road was private.

Budleigh police say a small number of residents in the Normans Crescent area were causing the problems - and have warned their actions are unacceptable.

Recently, a member of the armed forces and a teenage driver both found notes on their windscreens, falsely stating they were parking on private land.

One note left on a vehicle parked near the Normans Crescent estate said: "This is a private road for the use of residents on Normans Crescent. We would be grateful if you could park your vehicle elsewhere in the future."

Police community support officer Malcolm Maguire said: "Historically, there has always been a certain amount of friction between a small number of residents of Normans Crescent and the surrounding roads.

"This is adopted highway and therefore anyone can legally park their vehicle, if it is road legal.

"Naturally, we would like to discourage action of this type as it does not help foster a good community spirit."

An angry Budleigh Salterton resident, who did not want to be named, said: "To find these notes on cars is tantamount to harassment."

An 18-year-old Armytage Road resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, found a similar note on her car when it was parked in Norman's Crescent.

She also said a resident had told her father he was not allowed to drive down the road - because it was 'private'.

The teenage driver said: "I know other people in my road have had the same done to them. People have rung the council and have been told the road is not private, and that we, and anybody, are more than free to park there.