Deirdre O Meara 
Residents of a hidden community in Birmingham, Church Avenue, have revealed the downside of living in their gated garden. The avenue is so well-hidden that most neighbours are unaware of its existence. The avenue is tucked behind the high street and is home to two rows of houses separated by a footpath adorned with trees, shrubs, and bright flowers. Despite the tranquillity that comes with living in such a serene environment, residents say their lives are being made miserable by one daily problem.
The lack of parking in the avenue is causing residents to pay £670 annually for a season ticket to a nearby council-run car park. This has resulted in a significant inequality in the way the council provides parking. According to one anonymous resident, “It is surprisingly quiet. Those of us that have cars have the same issue. There is a huge inequality in the way the council provides parking.” The cost of the season ticket is crippling, and there is no guarantee of a parking space. As a result, some residents choose to stay indoors over the weekend to avoid the hassle of parking.
Despite the parking issue, residents love living in the avenue among the lush gardens. One local, Manjit, revealed that he was asked if he was interested in buying a property in the area. He said, “The owner asked if I was interested in buying it, it’s a nice area, but it’s just the parking. That’s one of the main things that’s stopping me. [I have] beautiful lovely neighbours, it’s a lovely place, it’s just the parking.”
Birmingham City Council, when approached for comment, said that the season ticket offered to residents is already discounted. However, residents argue that the cost of the season ticket is still too high and that the lack of parking is a significant issue that needs to be addressed.
In conclusion, living in a hidden community with lush gardens may seem like a dream come true, but the reality is that the lack of parking can be a significant drawback. The issue of parking inequality needs to be addressed to ensure that all residents have equal access to parking spaces. While the season ticket offered by the council is discounted, the cost is still too high for some residents, and there is no guarantee of a parking space. It is a problem that needs to be resolved to ensure that residents can enjoy the beauty of the avenue without the added stress of parking.
