DEDICATED community volunteers in Halesowen have been taking action on litter and parking issues.

Local residents, alongside the Whittingham Road Area Group and Councillor Simon Phipps, held a community litter pick in the nearby playing fields on Saturday (August 12).

Volunteers collected 10 bags of rubbish in just over an hour, and in doing so cleaned up an area regularly used by local sports teams.

The Whittingham Road Area Group was formed several years ago to tackle the issues of illegal and inconsiderate parking in the vicinity of Halesowen College and Newfield Park Primary School.

The group has since branched out to get involved in other community initiatives. Now residents, working with the local police, want to take further action to prevent bad parking in the area.

Wendy Downing, a member of the area group, said: “The group was formed some time ago in response to the increasing problem of inconsiderate parking in the local area.

“Since then we have also taken part in many other community projects such as these litter picks.

“We’re hoping that this parking scheme may help to improve the situation that local residents are in and I would encourage local residents to get in touch with Cllr Phipps if they wish to be involved.”

Cllr Phipps added: “The police have proposed a community action scheme where residents get involved in helping to prevent the parking problems caused by inconsiderate drivers.

“With the help and support of the police, the college and the primary school, residents would be able to place cones in dangerous places where bad parking occurs and issue warning notices to those parked illegally.

“Additionally it would allow new co-operation between the education institutions, local residents and the police to identify drivers who cause regular problems with their parking.”

Residents who wish to get involved with the area group can call Cllr Simon Phipps on 07966 992147 or email cllr.simon.phipps@dudleymbc.org.uk.