Call for action as scale of dangerous parking in Birmingham is unbelievable

A report on a road safety inquiry was published ahead of next week’s full council meeting and explored how the authority could make streets and roads safer.

One concern raised in the report was illegal or poor parking, with Coun David Barker, chair of the inquiry, saying it could have a “severe impact” on road safety. But it said Birmingham residents lacked confidence in the Labour-run council’s ability to enforce measures against illegal parking.

“Residents tell us how difficult it is to report parking issues to the council using the existing portal or an often-engaged telephone line and deters people from using it,” it also said.

The inquiry heard from one resident that “the scale of terrible, inconsiderate and dangerous parking is unbelievable and seems to be growing”.

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It made a number of recommendations, including that a review of the parking enforcement service be completed by the end of March 2025 to enable its recommendations to be implemented as soon as possible. Other recommendations included outlining the approach to tackle pavement parking and exploring how to improve the reporting system.

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Responding to the issues raised in the inquiry’s report, Coun Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for transport, said: “Hearing our residents’ concerns is important to us and we will be considering their feedback for future service improvements.

“Motorists should always park safely and legally and be mindful of other road users and our enforcement officers will take action where appropriate.

“We would of course encourage people to use public transport or walk where possible.”

Coun Barker urged the city council to “follow words with actions” after a road safety emergency was declared earlier this year in the summer.

“Road safety is an issue that unites communities across the city, in that every corner of Birmingham faces fears of yet another incident,” he wrote. “Many neighbourhoods are haunted by incidents on our roads where lives were lost or changed.”

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On recent steps taken, council leader Coun John Cotton has pointed to a group chaired by the chief constable of West Midlands Police around road safety and steps to reduce speed limits across the city.

The road safety inquiry will be discussed at the full council meeting on Tuesday, December 3.