DOUBLE yellow lines are to be painted on a number of Worcester streets where there have been complaints about parking.

But people living in Spetchley Road have criticised the decision. They believe Worcestershire County Council is only seeking to remedy a problem it has made worse by banning staff from parking at nearby County Hall.

Residents of Spetchley Road and surrounding streets have long complained about the number of motorists parking outside their homes.

They claim it is dangerous for pedestrians, especially youngsters attending nearby Nunnery Wood High School.

It is thought that many of those parking their cars are connected to County Hall, Worcester Sixth Form College and various businesses that are based in London Road.

Earlier this month the council stopped its 1,680 workers at County Hall parking on site on certain days of the week. This is in a bid to tackle congestion on its overflowing car parks.

Now the county council has announced it is considering banning parking on parts of Baynham Drive, Kilbury Drive, London Road, Nunnery Lane and Spetchley Road. Another order will restrict parking between 9am and 5pm during the week on parts of Spetchley Road and Staplow Road.

Worcestershire County Council says the new yellow lines will improve traffic flow, amenity and road safety.

But Keith Burton, chairman of the Spetchley Road Residents’ Association, claims the decision is a result of the new, more stringent parking regulations at County Hall – something that the county council has denied.

People claim the yellow lines will not solve the problem caused by the cars parked by students and staff from Worcester Sixth Form College and Nunnery Wood High School.

They say the restrictions may even cause new problems with traffic because cars will be parked on only one side of the road.

The parking is only a problem during the week and the road is quiet at weekends.

People would like to see restricted parking along Spetchley Road, similar to that being introduced by the University of Worcester’s campus at St John’s.

Mr Burton said: “We look enviously at the trials which are being done at the university.

“The new double yellow lines will effectively reduce the road to a single track.”

But Councillor Derek Prodger, the county’s cabinet member for transport and safe environment, said: “These proposals are not as a result of the parking restrictions implemented recently at County Hall but seek to regulate the existing parking needs in the area.

“The proposals involve various junction protections which allow safe access and movement, as well as regulating parking on narrower sections of highway allowing free flow for deliveries and emergency services.”