Organisers of Big John's Birmingham Mela have been inundated with complaints after badly parked cars blocked roads and driveways around Cannon Hill Park - leaving residents fuming. They have now pledged to look at the problem and take action ahead of the next event.
Up to 70,000 people packed into the park for the festival of South Asian music, food and culture - many more than the 40,000 who attended last year. Several streets were closed and there were parking bans on other routes like Pershore Road, despite warnings of fines or the threat that vehicles could be towed away. But many just ignored the restrictions and left roads gridlocked, prompting calls for action before the next major event.
The organisers have now pledged to look at the parking problems and bring in measures to tackle problems for the next event.
The free Big John’s Birmingham Mela had proved another major success for the city - especially as a key theme was the 70th anniversary of the Partition of India - with acts and visitors of both Pakistani and Indian backgrounds joining the fun in the sun.
