Teams of council traffic wardens are now working late into the night to hand out parking tickets, in what some drivers say is a cynical move to profit further from Medway’s crowded streets.

Medway Council wardens began working until 1am last month, and while the council insists it is entitled to pursue illegally parked cars at any time, the ploy has not proved popular.

In one instance, Stuart Ware of Nelson Road, Gillingham, says he spotted two torch-wielding traffic wardens dishing out parking tickets at midnight to cars he believed were parked legally.

“I thought it was a bit cheeky that they were out issuing parking fines at that time,” he said.

“Then I realised they were issuing parking fines to vehicles that were parked on single yellow lines. It is a controlled zone between the hours of 8am and 10pm, but at this time the cars were perfectly legally parked.”

He also believed that the wardens themselves had parked on the single yellow lines, and has called the council to complain.

Medway council have since said the tickets issued in that instance, at around midnight on November 24, were put on cars illegally parked over a dropped disability kerb.

Others have questioned whether the council has issued more parking permits on some streets than there are spaces, leading to further overcrowding and parking tickets.

Gillingham man Steve Wheeler said: “I suspect this is merely a desperate money-making exercise in areas where there are too few parking spaces.

“After 5pm it can be difficult to find a space.”

Medway Council confirmed teams had began working until 1am from November 1.

A spokesman said: “Illegal parking is not tolerated at any time of the day and a penalty charge notice will be issued to those found breaching the regulations.

“Parking restrictions are in place for the safety of motorists and pedestrians, and in areas where on-street parking is limited

“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.”