Copenhagen Street blighted with illegally parked cars

Drivers have been parking on double yellows in Copenhagen Street leading to fears it blocks the road for emergency vehicles.

There has been ongoing issues over parking in the city centre with cars dumped on Cathedral Square as well as over-ranking and missuse of taxi ranks.

After being contacted by the Worcester News, Worcester City Council said it will increase the number of patrols on Copenhagen Street.

The council also said dangerously parked cars could also be reported to the police.

On person who works in the city centre said drivers are leaving their cars on double yellow lines for up to four hours.

BLOCKED: Copenhagen Street blocked by vehicles. (Image: Submitted)

He added they are leaving little room for emergency service vehicles to be able to make their way through the narrow street. 

City councillor Lynn Denham, Cathedral ward, said she has witnessed dangerously parked cars on her way to attend meetings at The Guildhall. 

Cllr Denham said: "People are abusing it and misusing it. 

"The street has become a place where people drop someone off and get a lift from town.

READ MORE: Strep A infections - Worcester GP reveals how to spot them

"People who are parking here illegally are getting in the way. 

"It is illegal and it is double yellow lines and impacting legitimate businesses in the area."

An onlooker, who works in the area, said: "We see madness like this every time we go to work.

"These are just some of the cars illegally parked along with others. They are on yellows, in a bike area at a junction, and on a junction.

"At the top of Copenhagen Street, there’s only a tiny gap to get emergency vehicles through."

READ MORE: Barbourne Health Centre forced to cancel appointments

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "Our civil enforcement officers will be stepping up parking patrols in the area of Copenhagen Street and will hand out penalty charge notices to motorists who are parked illegally.

Cars parked in Cathedral Square (Image: Michael Lloyd)

READ MORE: Platform Housing: Woman with house mould left fearing for baby's life

"We would like to remind motorists that although illegal parking is for local councils to enforce, if a vehicle is parked dangerously or in a way that could prevent emergency vehicle access then it should be reported to police."

In November, concerns were raised that delivery drivers and people looking to dodge parking fees were using Cathedral Square as a makeshift car park. 

And Councillor Jabba Riaz said the issue is a growing concern. 

A number of organisations got in touch after the area was consumed with illegally parked cars.