Parking in Worcester: All the signs are there

A range of other new measures to ease disputes over street parking, reduce traffic and help drivers find spaces more easily have also been agreed by council chiefs.

A series of new message boards at key locations around the city will alert driver to where car parks are and how many spaces are empty in each one.

The idea of using ‘variable message boards’ has already been introduced in other cities across the country, including Birmingham.

Worcester City Council has agreed to launch the project with the county council, with both working together to decide the best locations.

A funding package is being put together and transport chiefs hope to get signs in place by March next year.

A long list of other parking measures have been agreed by the city council, including exploring a new car share scheme for council staff, and starting talks that could see James Close and St Clement’s Close in St John’s adopted by Worcester Community Housing as residents parking-only.

The council has also agreed to team up with County Hall to share any future reviews of parking in Worcester and think of new ways to promote public transport.

Bosses have also agreed to continue to use enforcement in the belief wardens can do as much as any new policy to ensure drivers park in the right places.

The city council’s scrutiny committee, which has been reviewing parking problems in Worcester, came up with the ideas.

Councillor Joy Squires, who chairs the committee, said: “It’s great that what has been suggested has been accepted. What we now need to do is monitor it to ensure it’s progressing.”

Councillor Neil Laurenson, from the Green Party, said: “I’ve had residents contact me with concerns over parking. There’s no doubt it’s an issue.”

Councillor Marc Bayliss, deputy leader of the city council and cabinet member for economic prosperity, said: “The scrutiny committee did some useful work and the cabinet responded favourably. It goes to show we do listen.”