New Amazon car park eases Wednesbury congestion
An Amazon delivery depot in Wednesbury that was causing traffic chaos on surrounding roads due to delivery vans clogging up the street has now opened its new car park.
The car park in Patent Drive, that can take up to 80 vehicles, has already started to ease the problems - much to the relief of previously frustrated residents.
Dozens of people living nearby complained when traffic left them late for work.
But following talks between the online giant, police and council bosses, it was announced in October that a congestion-easing car park would be built on the site.
Councillor Elaine Costigan, who represents the Wednesbury ward, said so far she has had positive feedback about the site.
"I have been told that it has eased congestion greatly and is now open as far as I know - as work was completed on November 19," she said.
"Before I would get lots of calls from residents and drivers complaining about the situation but now I have none - it's great.
"I would be out campaigning and people would be approaching me about it too.
"Police officers were working alongside Amazon and were patrolling every Wednesday morning when congestion was at its height and did all they could.
"When I saw the site where the car park was going to go then we were hopefully it was going to ease congestion for sure and it seems as though it now has," she added.
For months angry residents and drivers aired their concerns on a Facebook page showing the location of the site.
One user posted a photograph showing a van parked on the side of the island, branding it as 'stupid'.
Whilst others expressed their concern about being late for work due to 'useless drivers' blocking the road and said they were 'surprised' there has not been a serious accident in the surrounding areas.
Sergeant Sean Griffiths, from Wednesbury North Neighbourhood Team, said that meetings were held with local officers, councillors, highways and the manager from Amazon to try and create a solution at the time.
