PROBLEM parking which is forcing bin lorries on to the grass verge may end with double yellow lines being painted.

Kempsey Parish Council was told that parking outside a house in Hillside was continuing to cause problems as the only way larger vehicles could get by was by mounting the verge.

Councillors say the verge is increasingly becoming damaged by the repeated use, and had asked if the road might be widened.

However, county councillor Bob Bullock said Worcestershire County Council’s highways department “would not touch” the road.

“Parking on the road is fine, but obstructing the highway is illegal,” he said. “That parking is illegal, and because it is illegal we cannot then start widening roads to accommodate for unlawful behaviour. If you want the road widened then it will have to be funded by you or your district councillors.”

Coun Bullock said that having been to take a look at the location himself, he had found there were suitable parking areas at either ends of the road.

“Parking is there, it is just a case of people not wanting to walk far to their cars,” he said.

Parish council clerk Sharon Baxter confirmed she had written to home-owners in the road but had had “no response”.Malvern Hills District Council said it would be “liaising with the county council to discuss a long term solution”

Tom Comerford, the county council’s principal liaison engineer, said: “It is very difficult to add to councillor Bullock’s comments which are clear. If Coun Bullock indicates his support, the traffic team will undertake an investigation.

“If a traffic regulation order is indicated this would by law be subject to a consultation process which includes a period for public representation.”

l At the parish council meeting it was not suggested that a traffic regulation order – which could mean single or double yellow lines being painted – be applied for.