Petition demands action on Bournville parking chaos
More than 400 Bournville residents have signed a petition calling for action on parking problems around the Bournville Masjid and Community Centre, prompting Birmingham City Council to consider a residents' parking scheme. The proposal, put forward by the office of MP Al Carns, follows months of complaints about vehicles blocking streets during prayer times.
Petition organiser Robert Thornewell said parking had become a "big problem" in the area. He described how driveways and junctions were being blocked, with cars parked on footpaths forcing people with pushchairs and mobility scooters into the road. Local buses were also struggling to navigate the streets, with passengers sometimes forced to board in the middle of the road when bus stops were obstructed.
The issues are particularly acute on Fridays, when large numbers of worshippers gather at the mosque. The petition, which gathered more than 400 signatures, has now been submitted to MP Al Carns's office, which will put the proposal for a residents' parking scheme to Birmingham City Council.
How parking problems affect pedestrians and buses
Residents say the impact of the parking problems goes far beyond inconvenience. Every Friday, streets around the mosque become impassable, creating safety risks for pedestrians and drivers. The key issues highlighted in the petition include:
- Drives and junctions being blocked, preventing residents from accessing their homes
- Cars parked on footpaths, forcing pedestrians with pushchairs and mobility scooters into the road
- Buses unable to get through narrow streets, causing delays for passengers
- Passengers forced to board in the middle of the road when bus stops are blocked
Thornewell explained that parking had become a "big problem", telling how blocked footpaths and junctions were making daily life difficult for residents. He also noted that the situation was worst on Fridays during prayer times, when the streets were packed with worshippers' vehicles.
Lease controversy and trust's stance
The parking crisis has a backstory that has left some residents feeling aggrieved. Bournville Village Trust leased the building to the South Birmingham Muslim Community Association in 2024, two years after refusing a similar deal to a theatre company over parking concerns. That refusal was based on the very problems that residents are now experiencing.
A Bournville resident said the community felt "misled" about the mosque development, given the trust's earlier concerns about parking. The trust, however, has decided against changing the lease terms. It maintains that the current arrangement is appropriate and says it is working to address the issues.
The contrast between the treatment of the theatre company and the mosque has added to the frustration. Critics argue that the trust was well aware of the potential for parking chaos when it signed the lease, yet failed to implement adequate measures to prevent it.
Police patrols and church parking plan
West Midlands Police have offered residents the chance to accompany officers on patrols during Friday prayers. The initiative is intended to give residents a direct view of the policing response and to help officers identify problem areas. It also provides an opportunity for residents to report violations in real time.
An alternative parking arrangement with the Serbian Orthodox Church is also being explored. This could provide around 40 extra spaces for worshippers, easing the pressure on residential streets. The proposal is still in the early stages, but it has been welcomed by residents who see it as a practical step.
Meanwhile, the residents' parking scheme remains the main long-term solution. If approved, it would restrict parking in the affected streets to permit holders, giving priority to local residents. Such schemes are often introduced after a consultation and can significantly reduce commuter and event-related parking.
What happens next?
MP Al Carns's office is expected to formally put the proposal to Birmingham City Council in the coming weeks. The council will then assess whether a residents' parking scheme is feasible and whether it has sufficient support from the local community.
Residents are being urged to continue reporting parking issues to the council and the police. The petition, which has already made an impact, could influence the council's final decision. With police patrols, a potential church car park, and the possibility of a parking scheme, there are several measures on the table.
But time is of the essence. For Bournville residents, every Friday brings the same problems, and many feel that action cannot come soon enough. The trust's refusal to revisit the lease means the burden falls on the council and the police to find a solution.
The coming weeks will determine whether these measures are enough to ease the pressure on Bournville's streets. Residents will be watching closely, hoping that the petition leads to lasting change.
