With reference to the complaint made by Mrs Kim Griffiths, she has my complete sympathy regarding parking by staff and visitors to Sandwell Hospital.
Her problem is identical to people living in Grafton Road, which is also in close proximity to the hospital, and Lyndon at the bottom of Grafton Road. Morning, afternoon and evening, cars treat this road as an overflow hospital car park, without any charge being made. The trouble we have is making everyone’s life a nightmare.
There is a scheme to reduce the high levels of nitrogen dioxide in West Bromwich due to the fact that this exceeds the Government’s limits for emissions. But with cars moving backwards and forwards to get into a small parking area, more emissions are caused than by a full-length journey.
We are also affected by All Saints Way, which is little more than 10 metres from the rear of this property. I have spent approximately four years trying to get the Highways Direct department for West Bromwich to repair a large crack in the tarmac which has caused quite a bit of damage.
I have had this repaired but it will manifest itself again due to the use of All Saints Way by hundreds of cars, lorries and juggernauts. I have provided Highways Direct with the opinion of a registered chartered surveyor, who stated there is a likelihood of damage being caused by vibrating traffic.
I have also had to call in the builder to fix the roof three times due to the vibrations breaking away the cement pointing. He was of the opinion the damage was being caused by vibrations from a crack in the tarmac.
I have received letters from risk management and insurance advising me to obtain legal advice but over the period of time this would have to be assessed, the cost would be prohibitive just to get a small amount of tarmac in the road repaired.
Mr A Mason, Grafton Road, West Bromwich.
One Comment
I sympathise with Mr Mason. The hospital planners should have realised that sick people and visitors travel to hospital by car. Staff also require somewhere to park and by charging twice for what is already paid for by taxes, (where do they think the NHS money comes from), they know it will cause friction in the surrounding area.
The hospital is therefore causing a public nuisance and a court order can be issued, at a reasonable cost to you, for them to desist or be held in contempt of court and fined.
Damage to property due to road defects is claimable from the local council’s Highways Department. Phone them up and ask for a Damage Claim Form. If/when they refuse, phone the Finance Department and get one from them. Complete the details, enclose the builders receipt and opinion of the registered chartered surveyor. It is also useful to enclose a letter stating that you intend to seek legal redress in the HMCourts Service, (used to be the ‘Small Claims Court), if they don’t pay up.
It worked for me, no argument, no delays! Give it a try.