Motorists in Birmingham are facing a parking nightmare on a narrow private road where fines are issued within moments, sometimes even when a parking ticket has been purchased. Bromford Walk, a side road in the busy Scott Arms area of Great Barr, has been labelled the city's 'costliest road' by frustrated drivers and local businesses alike.
The £100 Pizza Pick-Up Penalty
The issue came to light when Shak Khan was hit with a £100 penalty charge after stopping to collect a pizza with his wife. The couple had followed the instructions on the parking signs and paid for a ticket, only to receive the fine in the post days later. This indignity has become a common story for those venturing onto the privately-owned Bromford Walk.
The road, which splits a parade of shops on Newton Road, is managed by parking operator One Parking Solutions Limited. An all-seeing ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera monitors a series of parking bays, capturing the details of every vehicle that enters.
A Complicated Payment System
Signs at the entrance state 'Private Land, Pay On Arrival' and warn that cash payments are not accepted. Drivers are directed to download the 'PopPay Plus' app via a QR code to pay a £1 per hour fee. Crucially, the terms state: "All parking sessions must be purchased immediately upon arrival and cover the full duration of parking: from time of entry to time of exit."
Failure to comply results in a parking charge of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. The small print also warns that a £70 collection fee will be added if the charge is not settled within 28 days.
Local Businesses Bear the Brunt
Neighbouring businesses report significant problems caused by the strict parking regime. Ahsan Shah, from the nearby Pizza Hut takeaway, said: "Customers park one or two minutes and get a fine. This is unfair... It's a very big problem. The fine is too much." He confirmed that new signs were erected about a week-and-a-half ago, but the issues persist.
The problem is so severe that the solicitors' firm Go Convey, whose entrance is on Bromford Walk, places a warning sticker on every letter it sends to clients. A staff member explained: "We had an elderly couple, they couldn't get the app, and we were helping them. It took them so long to download it by the time they had, they had been fined." They confirmed that delivery drivers and even their window cleaner have received penalties.
The impact on trade is tangible. A staff member at The Meat Centre on Newton Road reported: "I have lost my customers. They aren't coming now." Similarly, Antonio's hairdressers recounted how an elderly customer's granddaughter received a £100 fine simply for dropping her off.
Colin Lee Opticians now has to warn clients attending diabetic screening clinics from outside the area. A staff member revealed their standard response: "People come from outside the area and we ask them where they have parked. And if they say Bromford Walk, we say 'it's too late, you have already been fined'."
Some food delivery drivers have resorted to parking across the entrance, sometimes blocking access for business workers parked at the rear. While loading bays are available on Newton Road, they are often full, leaving few alternatives for quick stops.
The consensus for anyone visiting the area is clear: avoid Bromford Walk at all costs. Even for those who manage to navigate the app and pay swiftly, the risk of an unjustified fine remains high. One Parking Solution Limited has been contacted for comment but has yet to reply.
