Residents have shared their concerns over “parking chaos” on a road in Hartlebury.
Parking charges were introduced at Hartlebury Railway Station last month causing fears over the impact it will have on Station Road.
Pub owner Dave Higgs, who took over The Tap House in June 2018, said he fears the parking charges at Hartlebury Railway Station will cause “huge problems” on the road with drivers choosing to park for free on the road rather than pay to park at the station.
This has previously led to the road becoming blocked with HGVs unable to get through.
Mr Higgs said: “Nobody knew the railway was going to introduce parking charges. The signs turned up out of nowhere. It seems so strange to charge people when there are only about 11 parking spaces at the station. I can’t see the benefit.
“If I look at the car park, there are about four cars using it, but another five cars are parked on Station Road instead as it’s free. This has happened before – people just park outside people’s homes and block Station Road. On a previous occasion, the police had to be called as a lorry got stuck trying to get down the road.
“It’s going to cause huge problems – I know people won’t be happy.”
The Tap House, which brews its own beer, is not affected by the parking charges and has its own separate car park, which cannot be used by rail users unless they are visiting the pub.
West Midlands Railway said it had introduced the parking charges to bring the site in line with other stations, including Kidderminster and Droitwich.
Residents have since taken to social media to share the same concerns as Mr Higgs with many saying the fears are “absolutely spot on”.
Mark Jones said: “Parking charges kill off everything they touch.”
Lakeside Adventures said: “We’ve definitely noticed this too at Lakeside Adventures – cars are now regularly parking along Station Road and even opposite our entrance.
“We completely understand people wanting to avoid extra costs, but it’s already making a tight road even harder to navigate and creating real access issues for businesses and larger vehicles.
“It feels like the problem hasn’t gone away, it’s just been pushed onto the road.”
Mark Passmore said: “I live next to this and it’s pushing cars into the Moors avenue and causing issues there. There was nothing wrong with how it all was before. Now it’s chaos and needs to be returned to how it was. Total mistake and everyone can see that bar one person and company.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Railway said: “Parking charges were introduced at Hartlebury on Wednesday (April 15), bringing the site in line with nearby stations such as Kidderminster and Droitwich Spa, where charges already apply.
“Revenue raised from car parking is used to improve services and reduce the cost of running the railway to the taxpayer.
“Discounts are available on weekly, monthly or annual parking permits and payment can be made via the Saba website, app or in person via the ticket machine at the station.”
