Express & Star

That's better! Tiny driveway put right after couple 'couldn't get out of car' parked outside

It was a tight squeeze to say the least! But now a couple have breathed a sigh of relief after their tiny driveway was put right by builders.

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Left, How the driveway looked before, and right, the new drive with the wall move. Pictures: @DeerParkNoDrive

Paul and Zena Jones found it almost impossible to get out of their cars because the drive of their new home in Great Barr was so narrow.

But after taking their campaign to social media to highlight their concerns, developers found a compromise.

And a wall to the neighbouring home has been moved away from the driveway.

“We can de-stress now,” said Zena. “It has taken a long time to get here. We are just grateful for the support.”

The couple voiced their frustrations after claiming their driveway only measured 89 inches – or 7ft 4ins – wide.

This left them struggling to open the doors of their Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen to get out.

Paul, aged 34, set up his own Twitter page – @DeerParkNoDrive – in a bid to highlight concerns.

The couple bought the house, having seen designs, as part of a shared ownership agreement for £90,000 along with housing association Walsall Housing Group from developer Taylor Wimpey.

They moved into their home, in Deer Park Drive, in February this year. But when they first arrived on the day they received their keys they were shocked to find the narrow driveway.

“We pulled the car on and couldn’t believe it. We couldn’t get the door open,” said Zena, aged 54. After the problems were highlighted through social media, contractors were called into see what could be done.

Paul tweeted out his thanks after the work was completed this week.

He said: “Me and my wife thank everyone who have help us in our battle to get our drive sorted. Many thanks.”

The work was completed within two weeks. A wall to the neighbouring home has been moved away from the driveway.

A new pathway and resurfaced driveway was completed allowing more space for parking and to open the doors.

The couple kept people updated with the progress of the work on Twitter.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “We are pleased that we have been able to resolve the issue to the customers’ satisfaction.”