Police under fire over action in Telford street parking row
Action taken by officers over a row about parking in Telford was today criticised as "a waste of police time".
People living in Reynards Coppice, Great Hay, have all been issued with letters from the police urging them to take care over irresponsible parking which West Mercia Police says has been taking place in the street.
But one man has said the issue was a waste of police time and that it could have been solved if neighbours had discussed the issue first and come up with their own compromise.
Mark Foden, whose sister also lives in the same road, said: "We all know in an age when there are so many cars around, and most homes often own at least two cars now, that it is often difficult to park, particularly on these modern estates, with twists and turns.
"Woe betide if you are having any home improvements and a skip occupies the driveway temporarily – where does the car go then?
"What has happened to the days when neighbours would communicate properly with each other and try to come up with some reasonable compromise."
The police letter says a number of complaints have been received about the parking on the road.
It states that cars have been "blocking and or restricting access and exit from and to residents' drives".
It says: "We appreciate that at times it is very difficult to park correctly without offending or causing annoyance to other residents.
"We would however appreciate your co-operation in this matter in order to maintain the goodwill that has been built up in the street.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your co-operation."
The letter also includes a polite disclaimer making sure that residents know they have not been specifically targeted by the police over the issue.
It states: "This letter should not be taken as to imply that you are responsible as we have sent the same letter to all the residents."
However, Mr Foden was less than impressed and said that letters are "wasting police time".
Last month, angry parents in Shrewsbury branded traffic wardens "cynical" after finding their cars had been given tickets outside a school sports day.
Mums and dads at St George's Primary School, Shrewsbury, said the discovery of a whole row of about 10 cars slapped with tickets was a "nasty" surprise as they left what had been a happy morning's spectating, watching their children compete and play at the annual event.
