An annual parade of military and vintage vehicles around Wolverhampton’s West Park is under threat due to roadworks around the beauty spot, organisers said today.
New “give way” junctions have been created on the circular route around the park in a bid to put the brakes on speed-crazy drivers. Raised speed tables are also being installed to slow down traffic in Park Road East and West, after 32 accidents in the past five years.
But organisers of next month’s two-day steam and vintage rally said the works had led to drivers parking on both sides of the road, meaning there was not enough room for large military vehicles to fit past.
They have now warned the mile-long parade of vehicles will struggle to get out of the gates if motorists are clogging the roads.
Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, one of the organisers of the annual vehicle rally, said: “With all the roadworks going on, a lot of the car parking spaces have been taken up and people have been parking on both sides of the road.
“The steam rollers will end up crushing the cars. There will be a real problem getting all of the vehicles out and on to the roads.
“If it is necessary we may have to cone off areas around the park to stop people parking there which we can only apologise about.”
Final preparations are now being made for the vehicle rally on June 7 and 8, which is expected to attract around 40,000 people.
A Battle of Britain memorial flight will be one of the highlights of the event as costumed actors re-enact battles from the past.
Visitors will also be able to take part in a Vera Lynn-style sing-a-long.
2 Comments
Heres an idea council, Pay and display parking around the park with a maximum 4 hour stay and hefty fines, The ONLY people to clog around that area are the people who work in the city center, no one stands a chance of parking to visit the park with their children because of these selfish people and most of them live on main bus routes or within walking distance anyway, it might also help the environment with more catching buses or walking to work. Do it right for once council
Oh and i forgot to say that i bet most of the accidents happen around 5pm to 7 pm when they finish work and pull out without looking and decide to rush home, I know ive had dozens of near misses around this time of day.