Cradley Heath roads covered by new scheme to rule out bad parking

Vehicles will be prevented from parking on a mile-long stretch of Forge Lane, Lower High Street, Foxoak Street and Upper High Street in Cradley Heath.

The red lines will be put down overnight tonight and the rules will come into force from Thursday.

The work is being done to prevent parking on the pavements and on narrow stretches of the road which causes problems for pedestrians and traffic.

The council has received multiple complaints about vehicles blocking pavements and cars parked so badly it has prevented other drivers from passing.

The scheme is costing around £4,000 and the lines are being put down between 7pm tonight (Tues) and 5am tomorrow (Weds). Old yellow lines will also be removed and drivers are warned that the work may take a little longer if the weather is bad.

It comes as an abundance of complaints were received last month due to the parking outside of Cradley Heath bus station.

Vehicles had to be towed away from the area after creating difficulties for buses entering and leaving.

Cars parked outside have also led to traffic problems, which has now prompted Sandwell Council to act.

Speaking last month, Councillor Shackleton said she believed the issue was not being helped by a lack of parking at the interchange.

She said: “I have pressured Transport for West Midlands to look into parking at the station which is not sufficient for the number of users.

“People are encouraged to use public transport but there is a lack of parking. There just isn’t enough parking spaces.”

The new interchange was created to bring the bus and rail stations closer together.

Significant improvements were made, including new bus stands and passenger information boards.

The overhaul of the bus station was part of a wider £10 million scheme to improve bus transport in the area.

In recent years a number of roads in Sandwell have been subject to a red route being in force, meaning that there is no stopping or parking allowed at any time.

They were introduced on Kenrick Way (A4182), Trinity Way (A4031) and Kelvin Way (A4182) in West Bromwich and Oldbury Ringway (A457) on the west side between Churchbridge and Bromford Road.