Parking problems in West Bromwich street causing safety concerns
Problem parkers are clogging a West Bromwich road in front of homes prompting residents to raise concerns over safety.
Residents in Gladstone Street, Hateley Heath, say they can barely park outside their own homes at peak times.
Up to 30 cars can be parked up in the road with some residents claiming it could make it difficult for emergency vehicles to access.
They said peak times are often weekends when people are visiting the nearby Spacehoppas Playzone childrens centre.
Grandmother-of-nine Janet Bradley, aged 63, is campaigning alongside fellow resident 66-year-old Vera Tonks for action.
"It is not very good at all," Mrs Bradley. "I have to say to my family that they can't come down here some days as they can't park.
"We have got abuse from people parking up sometimes too. We can't have off road parking as we live on a bank.
"Touch-wood we haven't needed an ambulance down here yet but we will one day and what will we do then. They won't get by.
"On Saturdays this road is simply full."
But councillors said they have already offered to instigate a parking permit scheme in a bid to end the problem.
Yet ward councillor Paul Sandars said the scheme failed to win the support of the majority of residents.
"We have been out to speak to residents. We delivered questionnaires over three weeks and got views," Councillor Sandars said.
"If there is consensus from the residents then we can get something done."
Mrs Bradley added: "Not everyone wanted that parking permits scheme. They would not pay for it.
"I would have paid for it and so would Vera.
"But we still want something done about it.
"We want the council to come down here again."
Kimberley Holden, General Manager at the Spacehoppas Playzone, said the centre had done all it could to reduce problems for residents.
She said: "We have given residents cones to put outside their houses and asked users not to park there.
"We have taken one party slot out altogether on a Saturday which tends to be our busiest period.
"And we have employed a parking attendant on weekends and have signs telling users to be mindful where they park."
She added some residents had been rude to staff at the centre and the parking attendant.
