I WOULD highlight even further Janet Carpenter's letter regarding the dangerous parking along the Old Birmingham Road between Cottage Lane and Braces Lane.

Not only as a pedestrian but also as a driver I condemn these thoughtless motorists in the way they flout the law.

This valued shop is only some 300 yards from my home but to my amazement there are neighbouring people who drive to do their shopping. Hence the recent comment of a policeman awaiting the return of a lorry driver who had parked on double yellow lines and half on the pavement, when asked - Was he going to book this offender? Only to receive a reply 'was I telling him how to do his job, and that the worst offenders were the locals.'

I pointed out that I walked a three year old to pre-school past this shop and that we had to dodge in and out between the cars parked on the pavement, then hope that one of the cars half parked on the double yellow lines and the pedestrian pavement isn't going to attempt to manoeuvre their way out between the other offenders reducing the pavement area even more.

Then we come to the actual corner on Braces Lane. I appreciate that goods have to be delivered but would point out the sheer size of these delivery lorries, to me, let alone a 3 year old are frightening, who are protruding on the corner pavement, causing the pedestrian to walk into the road, and then maybe yet another car parked half on the pavement in Braces Lane is another double whammy.

Having recently spoken to two young constables, outside the shop and voicing my concerns I was told that bollards were being erected on the actual pedestrians pavement,l but unfortunately the area from the shop front to the pavement was in fact private land belonging to the shop and could not be policed.

So now, will we still have to negotiate the offenders parked half on and off the pavement between Cottage Lane and Braces Lane, dodge in and out between bollards and the cars parked on Tesco land, besides hoping that one of these cars does not try to pull out into the traffic and just avoid causing an accident on such a busy road to just pass the shop.

I cannot see how these bollards will address the issue here. Far be it for me to tell the powers to be how to do their job, but maybe the white van that catches speeders on the Old Birmingham Road could be re-deployed and park up in Cottage Drive with its camera honed in at the parked offenders, or a traffic warden.

We need some positive action from the authorities, be it Bromsgrove District Council or the over pressed police authority before someone is either killed or seriously injured.

Concerned

Bromsgrove