Fears over junction safety

Drivers are being put at risk because parked cars block their view at a busy junction in Stourbridge, it is claimed.

Hundreds of motorists pull onto the Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, from the junction with Dunscombe Street every day.

The junction is directly behind parking bays which create a blind spot for drivers who are unable to see traffic approaching on the main road. Motorists are forced to slowly pull forward to see if the way is clear – but because of the layout do not have a clear view of oncoming cars until the last minute.

A yellow box has also been painted on the road to stop cars edging forward from the junction but drivers cannot see what is coming until they drive into the box.

Councillor June Collins, representative for Wollaston, said it was a worrying problem and one which did not have an easy solution.

"You cannot remove the parking bays because it would adversely affect the shops along Bridgnorth Road," she said.

"At the same time you cannot close the junction as it is the only direct route on to the main road for people living in Dunscombe Street and Cobden Street.

"It is a very dangerous situation and 75 per cent of the time drivers at this junction have to take their life into their hands and hope for the best."

Councillor Collins said the only way things could be changed was in educating drivers to park responsibly.

"At the moment people using the parking bays are cramming the cars into them leaving very little space and totally obscuring the view from the junction.

"If people could just be more aware of the situation when parking up it may help deal with the problem."

Councillor Collins said she was also planning to check on the progress of a police scheme to tackle illegal parking in the village.

Residents have complained drivers are parking on double yellow lines increasing the problem with congestion on the main road.