Drivers could be fined for parking on verges and pavements

CHEWED UP: People parking on grass verges and the pavement continues
to be an issue in large parts of North Solihull.

TOUGH new measures to tackle problem parking - which could see drivers slapped with a £70 fine -
may be rolled out to areas including Castle Bromwich.

Residents in the suburb have grown frustrated with selfish motorists who churn up grass verges or park on the pavement.
At the moment, Solihull Council relies on bollards and double kerbs to try and deter drivers, but many continue to flout the law.

However, the success of a pilot scheme to tackle similar issues in Dickens Heath has opened the door to more rigorous restrictions being introduced in other parts of Solihull.

Next week, Councillor Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, will be presented with a report on the the effectiveness of the trial, which started just over 12 months ago.

Road chiefs recommend that the system of introducing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and fining those who ignore the rules should be considered as a way of dealing with future problems.
The introduction of TROs will also be looked at when plans for new housing developments -  likely to lead to parking problems - are brought to the local authority.

Coun Richards, who represents Castle Bromwich, has previously criticised those who leave verges looking like "ploughed fields" and force wheelchair-users and mums with buggies to walk in the road to get past.

18 months ago, a joint initiative - backed by the parish council and local police - was launched in his own ward in an attempt to try and bring the problem under control.