Bollards go up to stop parking

Wooden bollards are being installed on grass verges surrounding Wolverhampton's West Park in a bid to prevent drivers from parking on them during major events.

Grass is being churned up around the beauty spot to make way for the bollards as part of the £15,000 scheme.

Controversy flared in May when Wolves fans watching the club's celebration party to mark promotion to the Premiership on a big screen were given parking penalties.

Three extra parking wardens were sent to the site and placed 56 tickets on cars. Another 40 parking tickets were also issued at June's Wolverhampton Show.

City council chiefs say the moves to install the bollards follows complaints from residents about football fans cluttering the grass verges with their cars.

Workers have been at the site installing the wooden posts in time for today's football season kick-off when Wolves play West Ham Utd.

Councillor Paddy Bradley, cabinet member for highways and regeneration, said: "We have tried enforcing the law, but the parking persists."

The free parking spaces around West Park are popular with commuters who leave their cars there during the day.