Patients and visitors who cause traffic misery by parking outside a Black Country hospital have been handed on-the-spot fines as part of a police clampdown.

Police Community Support Officers were yesterday blitzing drivers who dumped their cars outside Russells Hall Hosptal, Dudley.

The problem of people clogging up Pensnett Road and other streets surrounding the hospital has been well-publicised recently. Many park on the road to avoid forking out for hospital parking charges.

And police say residents living near the site regularly complain about cars taking up spaces outside their homes. Some fed-up householders have even threatened to put bollards outside their homes.

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Patients and visitors who cause traffic misery by parking outside a Black Country hospital have been handed on-the-spot fines as part of a police clampdown.

Police Community Support Officers were yesterday blitzing drivers who dumped their cars outside Russells Hall Hosptal, Dudley.

The problem of people clogging up Pensnett Road and other streets surrounding the hospital has been well-publicised recently. Many park on the road to avoid forking out for hospital parking charges.

And police say residents living near the site regularly complain about cars taking up spaces outside their homes. Some fed-up householders have even threatened to put bollards outside their homes.

Sergeant Clive Steedman said the issue was one of the top concerns flagged up by people who attend police meetings and officers are working closely with the hospital to tackle it.

“People who park on roads around the hospital is an issue often raised at our surgeries,” he said.

“We are working very closely with the hospital to try and solve the problem. We sit down with them and explain that it is causing residents grief and we look at how we can deal with it.

“It is vital drivers think of other road users because illegal parking can lead to injury and other accidents.”

Hospital spokeswoman Clare Craddock said there were adequate spaces for visitors and there was no excuse for people to park on the road.

“The Trust and its partner, Interserve are continuing to work closely to ensure the Russells Hall Hospital site is safe in terms of traffic management and car parking,” she said.

“There are sufficient car parking spaces available for patients and visitors on the site, so inappropriate parking on the road or on public pavements is not excusable, therefore we welcome the support of the local police in helping us to manage the traffic and car parking on site.”