Couple buy house but 'can't get out of car' on narrow driveway

Usually drivers are adept at maneuvering into spaces which can be a tight squeeze - but this is one even Lewis Hamilton might struggle with.

Couple Paul and Zena Jones say they have been stuck trying to park in the driveway next to their new home in Great Barr since they moved in.

They branded the situation 'frustrating' after claiming their driveway only measures 89 inches - or 7ft 4ins - wide.

They struggle to open the doors of their Ford Fiesta and claim to be unable to get out of the car.

Paul, aged 34, has since set up his own Twitter page – @DeerParkNoDrive – in a bid to highlight concerns.

They also tweeted out pictures showing their friend's car to illustrate the issue.

Having seen the designs, the couple bought the house from developer Taylor Wimpey before it was built, in a shared ownership agreement for £90,000 with housing association Walsall Housing Group (whg).

They moved into their home, in Deer Park Drive, in February this year.

But when they first arrived on the day they received their keys they were stunned to find the narrow driveway.

"We pulled the car on and couldn't believe it. We couldn't get the door open," said Zena, aged 54.

The couple claim the width of the driveway is 89 inches, narrowing to 86 inches where an electric box is positioned on a outer wall.

After reporting the issue to Taylor Wimpey they feel they have yet to hear a resolution to the issue.

"It is really frustrating. We have exhausted all ways of trying to get them to listen," said Mrs Jones.

Mrs Jones said: "We've had people look at it three times yet we're getting nowhere.

"All we want is a bit of communication. We keep being passed from pillar to post."

Her daughter Sam, 26, had also tried to pull her Fiat 500 car on the drive but claims not to be able to open the door to get out.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “We are in regular contact with the customer and are working collaboratively to resolve any issues.

"We apologise for any inconvenience which may have been caused, and hope to come to a mutually-agreeable conclusion at the soonest possibility.”

Mark Tranter, whg’s Director of Development, said: “We have been liaising with both Taylor Wimpey and the customer to ensure this matter is resolved.”