Car park for Wolverhampton bank workers to stop clogged-up roads

People in Pendeford had been complaining that staff at Lloyds Banking Group, formerly Birmingham Midshires, were using their streets as an overspill car park.

A letter has been sent to residents in and around Armstead Road, near to Pendeford Business Park, to tell them that action is being taken.

They have been urged to report anyone parking outside their house to the bank's security office if they suspect they work for Lloyds.

But the bank has taken over land near to a cricket field off Wobaston Road and Pendeford Lane and provided more parking space.

Lloyds Banking Group spokesman Lauren Jones said: "The new car park has created 127 additional spaces, which have been in use since Monday.

"As part of the investment to create the additional spaces we have also undertaken re-surfacing works at Pendeford Lane and landscaping of the surrounding roadside areas.

"We have made great efforts to ensure any disruption caused by these works has been kept to a minimum and would like to thank local residents for their support in helping us to manage this whilst the activity was being undertaken."

The bank is also encouraging its staff to use public transport.

Police also carried out extra patrols around the area. Around 1,400 people work for Lloyds at Pendeford Business Park, which makes it one of the largest private sector employers in Wolverhampton. Councillor Ian Claymore, who represents the area on Wolverhampton City Council, said: "The local authority considered whether it could bring in parking restrictions such as double yellow lines but it was felt that this would have hit the residents."

He said he had been informed that some staff were continuing to use Armstead Road and that the situation would continue to be monitored.

Anyone who wants to report bad parking by bank staff should note down the car make, colour and registration number and call 01733 509500.

Meanwhile councillors in Wolverhampton are yet to decide how to proceed with plans to charge people to park outside their own homes.

City council chiefs have proposed introducing a residents' parking scheme or other measures in the 19 most congested areas in Heath Town, including clogged up streets around New Cross Hospital.

It is in response to calls for action to tackle the problem of workers using residential streets as a free car park. It would see residents charged £40 a year to park outside their own homes.