Angry drivers have slammed ‘Britain’s worst parking‘ after cars were dangerously abandoned on a busy city roundabout outside one of the UK’s biggest mosques.
Thousands of Muslims descended on Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif in Small Heath, Birmingham, after celebrating Eid-al-Adha on Monday.
But shocking photos show how dozens of worshippers sparked traffic chaos by dumping their vehicles on one of the busiest roundabouts in the city.
Onlookers said there was at least one collision and several near-misses as drivers attempted to reverse off the Poet’s Corner roundabout into oncoming traffic.
And despite the huge numbers of illegally parked cars, it’s believed there were no parking fines issued throughout the morning.
Thousands of Muslims descended on Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif in Small Heath, Birmingham, after celebrating Eid-al-Adha on Monday
![But shocking photos show how dozens of worshippers sparked traffic chaos by dumping their vehicles on one of the busiest roundabouts in the city](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/16/86224485-13538731-But_shocking_photos_show_how_dozens_of_worshippers_sparked_traff-a-1_1718636844447.jpg)
But shocking photos show how dozens of worshippers sparked traffic chaos by dumping their vehicles on one of the busiest roundabouts in the city
![Onlookers said there was at least one collision and several near-misses as drivers attempted to reverse off the Poet's Corner roundabout into oncoming traffic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/15/86224489-13538731-image-a-3_1718635697166.jpg)
Onlookers said there was at least one collision and several near-misses as drivers attempted to reverse off the Poet’s Corner roundabout into oncoming traffic
Simon Gutteridge, 40, who had been trying to get to work when he got stuck along the A45 Small Heath Highway, said it was a ‘miracle nobody was badly hurt or killed’.
The engineer, of Newtown, Birmingham, said: ‘I just couldn’t believe my eyes.
‘People were parking absolutely anywhere and seemed oblivious to the danger they were causing.
‘I’ve seen some bad parking at football matches and concerts but never anything like this – it was crazy and caused absolute gridlock around the area.
![Simon Gutteridge, 40, who had been trying to get to work when he got stuck along the A45 Small Heath Highway, said it was a 'miracle nobody was badly hurt or killed'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/15/86224491-13538731-image-a-4_1718635706888.jpg)
Simon Gutteridge, 40, who had been trying to get to work when he got stuck along the A45 Small Heath Highway, said it was a ‘miracle nobody was badly hurt or killed’
![Thousands of worshippers attended the Mosque in Small Heath, Birmingham this morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/15/86224509-13538731-image-a-5_1718635811692.jpg)
Thousands of worshippers attended the Mosque in Small Heath, Birmingham this morning
![Many locals complained that cars parked on the roundabout presented a danger to traffic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/15/86224525-13538731-image-a-6_1718635842578.jpg)
Many locals complained that cars parked on the roundabout presented a danger to traffic
‘People were reversing the wrong way around the island and directly into traffic. They just plonked their cars on the roundabout like it was a genuine parking space.
‘It was a miracle nobody was badly hurt or killed to be honest – that is one of the busiest roundabouts in Birmingham along a major commuter route.’
Another driver, who did not wish to be named, added: ‘There was at least one collision as somebody reversed off the roundabout and lots of near-misses.
‘I could not see one single car had been given a ticket or anything like that. It was extremely dangerous.
‘It could be the worst parking I’ve seen anywhere in the UK – I was just baffled that so many people thought it was fine.
‘One or two cars you could understand but there was about 20 of them on the roundabout alone as well as just abandoned on nearby streets.’
![Phillimore Road (pictured), in Saltley, Birmingham, was dubbed one of the 'worst' streets for parking](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/15/85481431-13538731-Phillimore_Road_pictured_in_Saltley_Birmingham_was_dubbed_one_of-a-8_1718636101549.jpg)
Phillimore Road (pictured), in Saltley, Birmingham, was dubbed one of the ‘worst’ streets for parking
![Residents have voiced their concern over the bad parking situation on the road](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/15/85481371-13538731-Residents_have_voiced_their_concern_over_the_bad_parking_situati-a-7_1718636092878.jpg)
Residents have voiced their concern over the bad parking situation on the road
Phillimore Road, in Saltley, Birmingham, was dubbed one of the ‘worst‘ streets for parking – as locals described getting a space as ‘gold dust’.
Dozens of fines were slapped on cars that had been dumped on the street during the Easter weekend – and four more during a recent Bank Holiday.
West Midlands Police said they were working with the council to try and tackle the problem of drivers parking on the roundabout.
A spokesman said: ‘We’re aware of ongoing issues with motorists parking on the roundabout on Small Heath Highway.
‘Local officers are working with Birmingham City Council to tackle the problem.
‘Where traffic offences such as highway obstruction are seen by officers, we will issue tickets.
‘We’re aware of the concerns of the community in Small Heath and continue to work hard to keep the roads of the West Midlands safe.’
Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif and Birmingham City Counci have been contacted for comment.