Calls for residential only parking near Kidderminster Hospital

Neighbours in Brook Street say their cul-de-sac is being used as an "overflow car park" for the nearby hospital, with visitors and even staff allegedly parking across their drives on most days of the week.

Several residents have already put signs up on their garden gates and left notes on cars asking drivers to park considerately, but they say the problem is only getting worse and are now calling on the council to introduce a residents only parking scheme on the street.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said she has had arguments with people who have left their cars blocking the dropped kerb in front of her house.

She told The Shuttle: "I have a son who's autistic and he gets very distressed when we can't get the car on and off the drive.

"It happens at least three times a week when someone dumps their car half covering my drive so I can't get out.

"I've put a sign on my fence and I've put cones outside but people just move them. I've been sworn at and other people just ignore me.

"Some people say sorry and move but then there's a new person doing the same thing the next day."

Families have had their garden walls knocked down by cars attempting to turn in the road and earlier this year a car went through the front wall of a resident’s home.

Neighbour Paul Lees sold his car after growing tired of not being able to park near his house and another resident, Norman Spittle, said: “We’ve got a nursery and a church on this road and neither have a car park of their own.

"This street is being used as a car park for both of them, as well as an overflow car park for the hospital."

Residents say they have complained to the council, but until a residents only parking scheme is implemented, Wyre Forest Council said its "hands are tied" when it comes to issuing parking fines.

Councillor John Thomas, cabinet member for operational services, said: “I am very sorry to hear about the problems residents are facing. We would be more than happy to talk to them about this, but our hands are tied.

"Our enforcement officers can only act in situations like this if a residents only parking scheme was in place and that would be for the county council and residents to agree and implement.

“As district councils across Worcestershire have not yet adopted the relevant powers, officers are currently unable to issue tickets for vehicles parked across dropped kerbs, however powers to tackle this issue lie with the police.”

Worcestershire county councillor Alan Amos, who is cabinet member for Highways, said: “We are unaware of any recent correspondence on this issue, but we will be investigating further in due course.”