We got sick of drivers parking outside our homes so we took the matter into our own hands
A GROUP of residents have taken matters into their own hands after growing fed up with drivers parking outside their homes.
Locals of Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, came up with an ingenious solution to the problem that has blighted them for years.
They have now taken to putting up fake parking enforcement signs to ward off other motorists and help keep the street clear.
The signs claim that the street is a "residents only parking area" and are stamped with imitation council and police logos.
While they have no legal power and drivers cannot be fined for parking there, the signs have been effective in scaring off would-be anti-social parkers.
One resident told the : "We’ve been plagued with cars on this road for a long, long time.
READ MORE MOTORS NEWS
"We had one couple leave their car and just go off to Spain.
"The signs have been brilliant though, we haven’t seen our road like this ever."
More than 50 of the signs have been put up, drawing criticism from some living nearby.
The police and council logos have since had to be removed or covered after a warning from the authorities but most of the signs themselves remain in place.
Most read in Motors
One driver slammed them as "elitist" and said that they "pit people against each other" but residents insist they are necessary to prevent congestion.
One explained: "A few years ago, before we got double yellow lines further down, they used to park on both sides.
"There was an ambulance that couldn’t get up to my dad who had collapsed.
"And not long ago a recycling van came down and then couldn’t get out because of the parking. He was stuck there for a couple of hours."
A St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: "There is no residents only parking scheme in this area and the signs are not enforceable.
"Drivers are able to park here the same as other residential areas, responsibly and legally, with consideration to the accessibility of residents, pedestrians and emergency vehicles."