"DREADFUL" parking problems in streets around Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Perry Manor Care Home are causing "health and safety" issues, according to visitors and nearby residents.

James Richards, who visits his mother at the home in Charles Hastings Way, claims that a parking barrier was installed at its entrance to stop people, believed to be visiting or working at the hospital from parking on double yellow lines.

He says, since then, the problem has worsened with people now parking on grass verges and blocking pathways.

Mr Richards, of New Road, Malvern, said: "It is dreadful. It is a health and safety issue. It is not just me affected- it is other people visiting the home.

He added: "The parking issues have to have been going on for months now."

Barbara Moss, of nearby Aconbury Close, off Newtown Road, said: "If you have a wheelchair or a pushchair you would have to go into the road- It is not safe.

"People are parking on both sides of the road on numerous occasions - three days out of seven - so an emergency vehicle can not get through.

"I have called the city council, the police other people I have been referred to but nothing has been done. When is something going to be done? Will someone die before we are helped?"

The city council said its civil enforcement officers were not able to act as a traffic regulation order is not in place in the area.

County councillor Andy Roberts said he would not support an order in this area as he said it would simply "move" the problem elsewhere adding that double yellow line put down in the area near the care home were not enforceable and were not installed by the county council.

Cllr Roberts said he had held talks with the hospital regarding parking problems and is assured enough parking is available for both patients and visitors but that there is some problem with the amount space for employees.

He said: "The hospital has really pushed to provide as many parking places as it can. What I intend to do, is with the county council, provide a multi-storey facility to help provide more parking spaces for the hospital and county council."

He added the fact that some people are unwilling to pay for parking had exacerbated the issue.

This paper previously reported in January, how residents living nearby felt the parking problems were posing a safety risk for pedestrians.

Care UK which manages Perry Manor said it was unable to comment on the issues.