Residents of Spetchley Road in Worcester say their once-quiet neighbourhood has turned into a daily gridlock nightmare, with parents and students parking recklessly during school drop-off and pick-up hours.
Locals have put up signs pleading with drivers to park elsewhere, but many say their requests are falling on deaf ears. The street, where homes average over £550,000, is regularly swamped by traffic between 8–9am and again from 3–4pm due to nearby Nunnery Wood High School and Worcester Sixth Form College, which collectively serve over 3,200 students.
Blocked Drives and Verbal Abuse
Royston Roberts, 82, a retired Royal Navy engineer who has lived on the street since 1983, shared his frustration after repeatedly finding vehicles obstructing his driveway.
“People have literally parked on my drive. It’s not something the police can resolve—it’s a civil issue,” he explained. “I can’t get in or out at times. Delivery vehicles struggle to reach us, and you have to plan around non-school days just to get anything done.”
He added that the college has its own parking, but students often opt for roadside spots. “They’re the worst for parking, but there’s no way to report them because the cars usually aren’t registered to them,” he said.
Roberts suggested the vacant county hall car park just 100 yards away as a simple solution, but noted that repeated calls for change have gone unheeded. “Zigzag lines and warning signs don’t work. People just abandon their cars, often across both sides of the street,” he added.
Heartache and Daily Frustration
Another local, Michael Harding, experienced the impact of the parking crisis during one of the most difficult moments of his life. After his wife passed away earlier this year, the hearse carrying her body was forced to reverse down the road after encountering a car parked illegally on double yellow lines.
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“It delayed the funeral. That’s something I’ll never forget,” Harding said. “I’ve also had to ask my neighbour to let me use part of his drive just to get out.”
Harding described being met with hostility when confronting inconsiderate parkers. “You get foul language and aggressive behaviour. It’s not just parents—students are leaving cars for the entire day.”
Growing Community Anxiety
Ben Gillman, a 27-year-old father of two, echoed these concerns, recalling how buses and coaches often get stuck. “When I ask someone to move, I get death stares like I’m the one causing the issue,” he said.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, admitted she’s considered moving due to the stress. “It ruins my mornings. I dread having to get out for work, because someone’s bound to be blocking my way.”
Council Responds to Resident Complaints
Local councillor Elaine Willmore acknowledged the seriousness of the problem. “The situation can be unbearable,” she said. “Some residents are so disheartened they want to move away. It’s dangerous and stressful, and I’ve heard from multiple people about parents parking directly on driveways.”
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She warned that the issue could worsen without intervention and mentioned that there have already been several near-miss incidents.
In response, Worcestershire County Council confirmed they are in the process of introducing parking restrictions on Spetchley Road. A spokesperson said: “Traffic management requires careful planning to balance the needs of residents, schools, and road users. We’re considering all options.”
For now, however, those living along Spetchley Road continue to face an uphill battle for access, peace, and safety outside their own homes.
