Solihull: West Midlands Police investigating dangerous Shirley driving as locals frustrated about speeders

Residents of Stanway, Welford and Cropthorne Road who had reached the end of their tether over parking and speeding issues launched a petition to get action taken last year.

Councillor Karen Grinsell, who represents the Shirley East ward on Solihull Council, then presented their petition – signed by 130 residents – to a full council meeting.

A residents’ meeting took place in December when concerns were raised about traffic speeds, anti-social and dangerous driving behaviours and details of parking contraventions directly with police and Solihull Council representatives.

Potential criminal activity was mentioned at the meeting which West Midlands Police is now investigating.

And residents particularly raised parking on footways and parking on red routes which is prohibited.

Paul Tovey – head of service at Solihull Highways – provided an update at the latest meeting of the cabinet holder’s environment and infrastructure decision session.

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“We supported Coun Grinsell at the residents meeting which was quite productive – hearing the residents’ view on some of the anti-social behaviours they are seeing,” the officer said.

“They have asked for more support basically, more enforcement of the speed restrictions.”

He said following the meeting a survey monitoring speeds and volume traffic on Stanway Road was carried out.

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“We have had the results which confirm the speeds are a little bit over 30mph,” the officer said. “Based on the evidence at the moment we are not proposing to do any significant changes.

“But we will be back out with Coun Grinsell to support a second meeting to see if there are any other measures we can come up with that are low cost interventions, that will help with residents’ concerns.”

Ken Hawkins, the cabinet portfolio holder, agreed for parking enforcement activity to be increased to help change parking behaviours in the area and the traffic survey repeated to provide evidence of current driver behaviours.

The next residents’ meeting is set to take place in the next few months, once the survey data is available.

The cabinet portfolio holder’s virtual meeting took place on February 17.