PEOPLE are being urged to think carefully about where they go to exercise after roads had to be shut last weekend and fines were issued because of too many cars turning up at beauty spots, including the Lickey and Clent Hills.
The good weather led to parking pandemonium and Hagley Wood Lane had to be shut for two days as drivers were leaving their cars in illegal and irresponsible positions.
PCSO Susan White from Hagley and Rubery Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “When it’s warm, it’s absolute mayhem.
“There was parking on both sides of the road and traffic was at a complete standstill.”
The double yellow lines had faded but now they have been repainted and, as well as the police, civil parking officers will also be patrolling the area.
Although Covid rates are falling, lockdown measures are still in place and an appeal has been made to people to do all they can to help stop the spread and bring the case numbers down even further.
When people are exercising they should be with one other person or within their households or bubbles, they should stay two metres apart and stay close to their local area.
Bromsgrove District Council’s portfolio holder for Leisure, Coun Philip Thomas added: “We have such beautiful surroundings in our district which not only attract local residents but also lots of visitors from outside of the area, creating, as we saw at the weekend, crowds and traffic jams.
“While we are being asked to stay local as part of current lockdown measures, please take this chance to enjoy and discover beauty spots on your doorstep, avoiding the crowds and helping to keep yourself, your family and others safe.”
Dr Kathryn Cobain, Worcestershire’s Director of Public Health, said: “We are all looking forward to having a few more freedoms but we have to stick to the rules for a bit longer.
“After a long winter it is so tempting to get out, enjoy the sunshine and meet others.
“But this is the very moment when we need to have the resolve to keep going and follow the rules.
“We need to think of others and not put ourselves or anyone around us at risk.”
She said only responsible actions would help ensure the Government’s road map for easing lockdown went ahead as planned.
Visit worcestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest Covid information and bromsgrove.gov.uk/walks for suggested walks in the district.
