“I’ve never seen traffic wardens in all the time I’ve worked here”
Claire Elliott and Liverpool Echo readers
11:39, 10 Nov 2025Updated 12:24, 10 Nov 2025
Emil Rahaeanu, 36, outside his café, Emil’s Kitchen, on County Road.(Image: Liverpool Echo)
People have slammed “selfish and lazy” drivers on Walton’s County Road after numerous motorists illegally left their vehicles along the busy street. Despite double-yellow lines covering its entire length, drivers are blocking bus stops and preventing public transport users from reaching the city centre.
During a recent visit, the ECHO saw many vehicles parked unlawfully, yet none had received a parking penalty. Local business owners expressed frustration over what they see as poor enforcement and inconsistent street cleaning.
Emil Rahaeanu, 36, who runs Emil’s Kitchen, said cars are regularly parked on double-yellows and pavements outside his café. He said: “They [customers of nearby businesses] leave their cars for hours. I pay the council for a parking space, and it’s always full. There’s nothing we can do, the council don’t take it seriously.”
He added that the problem worsened after parking restrictions were extended in July, noting he hasn’t “seen a traffic warden for months.” Previously, motorists could park free in the city centre after 6pm, but now they must pay until 11pm. Emil also said illegal parking stops road-sweeping vehicles from cleaning pavements properly.
Liverpool City Council said enforcement officers operate “across the whole city” and vehicles violating rules may be fined. Cleansing teams also “regularly clean each street and remove fly-tipping when it occurs.”
Chloe Jones, from Laser Schoolwear, said: “I’ve never seen traffic wardens here. Cars are on the pavement for ages, blocking buses. When I open the shop, there’s always rubbish outside from Everton match pickups—KFC wrappers, cans of lager.”
Fatih Kahraman, from Mike’s Kitchen, added: “Something has to be done. Too many businesses are closing. It’s like a domino effect after the football went.”
A council spokesperson reiterated: “Cars cannot park on double yellow lines or in bus stops. Vehicles without a permit should not park in residents’ zones during restricted hours. Enforcement officers operate across the city, and fines may be issued for breaches.”
Commenter Ocobo says: “Sadly County Road is on the verge of a massive decline, who is going to prevent that? Give them the same security as around the new stadium. We all know Lodge Lane has been bad for years. Huyton and Garston are going the same way.”
Col19 agrees: “It’s not just County Road, Breck Road, London Road and West Derby Road are all just as bad, and I’m sure it’s the same everywhere there are shops. People are selfish and lazy, bus journeys take far too long as they have to keep stopping.”
Alfiecab points out: “10 years ago police would give you a ticket if you parked on the yellow lines or in a bus stop, but not anymore – the police just drive past. People think it’s okay to park on yellow lines or in bus stops and crossings, but a lot of it is just down to lazy people.”
Mabsdog complains: “I’m sure Knowsley Council spent a small fortune of taxpayers money fairly recently on painting double yellow lines and vertical lines, all the way through Prescot A57. Within a day of this happening and continuously, ever since, arrogant, self entitled motorists continue to flaunt the law. It’s infuriating, that, as a tax payer, we pay for this to happen.”
Yoyo-monkey comments: “On match days, disabled drivers are forced to park around Walton Road, with passengers then walking 15 minutes to Anfield. Half a dozen Arriva buses block residential streets, stopping on double yellow lines between two pedestrian crossings, creating a bottleneck for fans heading to the trains. There’s clearly no coordinated plan for parking along these roads, and no tickets are being issued. Someone should be held accountable for letting it get this chaotic.”
Barney33 asks: “What exactly does council security actually do? I know we have a parking department, but what does City Watch do? They have CCTV cameras and could use them to prevent this and tackle other issues across the city.”
How do you think the parking chaos can be fixed? Should the council be doing more to tackle the problem? Share your thoughts in the comments.
