RESIDENTS in Stourbridge’s Old Quarter have started a petition after workmen began putting up railings in their street out of the blue yesterday morning (Thursday).

Metal railings were installed in Beale Street much to the annoyance of residents who have taken to parking partially on the pavement to give emergency vehicles better to access to the street.

Resident Ken Moore, who has started a petition to get the guard rails removed, said they were put up without consultation and they have reduced car parking spaces for people living in the congested street who have “found ways to park in relative harmony with each other”.

He said: “It’s shocking. This will have a huge impact on the parking possibilities by taking out a large number of spaces being used at present.”

His wife Helle added: "It is hard enough to park here, but now it is going to be impossible for many of us."

Peter Vangeersdaele, Dudley Council's traffic manager, said obstructive parking at road junctions had been preventing refuse collections in the street.

He said: "This situation could not continue because of health risks.

"Therefore, short sections of guardrail were erected yesterday at Beale Street’s junctions to dissuade residents from parking obstructively and to permit refuse collection vehicles to gain access to the street."

Ward councillor Nic Barlow (Conservative) said he had not been notified in advance about the problem or the intention to put up railings and he added: "It did come as a surprise.

"I understand residents' frustrations as to why they've suddenly appeared without any prior knowledge.

"I'm surprised they've looked at this option and not had enforcement teams going down and putting notices down there.

"Parking is at a premium; you've got people parking on pavements but if they park in the road it's going to cause an obstruction."

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley's cabinet member for transportation, said guard rails had also been installed in West Street.

He said he had to "weigh up the positives and negatives" and that if residents have concerns about the railings he's "happy to get it looked at again".

To see what other residents are saying about the situation check out the SAY NO to residential parking permits in Stourbridge Old Quarter!! page on Facebook.