170 drivers left trapped by bad parking

Around 170 drivers had their cars trapped for three hours because selfish motorists parked in the wrong place on an overcrowded car park.

Now transport bosses in the West Midlands are threatening to fine drivers using free park and ride sites if they do not use a proper, marked space.

Centro, the region's transport authority, is making the move and train and Metro station car parks following a surge in complaints from other motorists.

On one occasion at Cradley Heath, 170 cars were blocked in for three hours as a result of a line of vehicles parked outside of marked bays.

On another occasion 80 correctly-parked vehicles were blocked in by just one car.

Similar problems have also been found at car parks in Rowley Regis, Coseley, Wolverhampton Priestfield, Wednesbury Parkway, Selly Oak and Northfield in Birmingham, and Whitlock's End near Shirley.

Throughout the whole of 2013 there were 80 recorded complaints. But in January and February alone this year Centro received 20 complaints.

A car park management company is now being considered for the sites and could start working by the summer.

Offending vehicles would be issued penalty tickets but clamping is not being considered.

Stephen Rhodes, Centro director of customer experience, said many sites were full by 8am.

"We are having to do this because unfortunately it has become increasingly common for users unable to find a space to just park where they can, and this has to stop," he said.

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