Tow away illegally parked cars at busy beach, says MP

4 hours ago

Claire HamiltonBBC Merseyside political reporter

Emergency services struggled to pass along Kirklake Road in Formby due to parked cars

An MP has urged police to use their enforcement powers to tow away illegally parked cars at a popular beach where a 15-year-old drowned last month.

A coroner condemned "selfish" drivers after cars on Kirklake Road in Formby delayed emergency services efforts to save the life of Chiedza Nyanjowa, who drowned at the beach on Merseyside on 25 May.

Chiedza, who could not swim, got out of her depth while fetching a volleyball from the sea while playing with her 11-year-old cousin.

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson said Merseyside Police needed stricter parking enforcement in place in the area as fines had failed to act as a deterrent.

News image — A coroner found the delays did not contribute to Chiedza Nyanjowa's death, but raised concerns about future cases

Merseyside Police A girl is smiling while standing next to a red phone box. She has a black and pink Barbie T-shirt, jeans and a white bag. — A coroner found the delays did not contribute to Chiedza Nyanjowa's death, but raised concerns about future cases

The inquest heard there was no evidence the delays contributed to her death, and a conclusion of death by misadventure was recorded.

But the coroner Elizabeth Wheeler said she was concerned illegally parked cars "can have an impact of delaying emergency vehicles which can have implications for future deaths".

Esterton said the council's traffic enforcement officers issue fines in the area, but said people are "happy to pay the £35 fine".

"The law is that the police can act in the event of an obstruction but it's not for them to police parking," he said.

"In the end if people are causing an obstruction, they need to consider towing people away.

"If you tow the first few away, it tells other people what is going to happen to them - because this just cannot go on, it shouldn't take a death to really concentrate minds, it really shouldn't".

Merseyside Police has been approached for comment.

Julie Swift A police car struggles to pass parked cars on a gridlocked road in Formby. — Police and ambulance vehicles were also impeded by parked cars

Esterson praised the actions of bystanders who had tried to save Chiedza Nyanjowa's life and said he had been in contact with a nurse who had been at the scene.

Two off-duty nurses and an off-duty doctor began performing CPR on the beach before the teenager was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital by air ambulance.

Esterson said their actions stood in contrast with the "selfish" drivers who had parked their cars with scant regard for residents or emergency services.

He said he had been contacted by local people who were not able to leave their homes on Bank Holiday Monday because cars were parked across their driveways.

The MP said public transport links to the beaches and coast were good but acknowledged many people would always want to drive for a day at the beach.

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