When reporters visited Hale Road in Speke, Liverpool, after reports that two cars had been damaged they found glass strewn everywhere, cars egged and more damage
Cars parked near a major UK airport have been vandalised and left abandoned for days. Chaos erupted on Monday when it emerged that vehicles on Hale Road in Speke near Liverpool John Lennon Airport had been targeted.
Upon visiting the bustling road on Monday, the Liverpool Echo discovered two cars that had suffered damage. A white Hyundai was found with all its windows shattered, including the rear one. A blue Volvo also bore the brunt of the attack, with three windows completely smashed, damage to the back window, and an egged exterior. One of its tyres had also been punctured.
Local residents revealed that the cars had been stationed there for several days and they first noticed the damage on Saturday (September 27). They suspect the vehicles belong to holidaymakers.
They explained that many holidaymakers, taxi drivers and regular motorists use the street as a workaround to dodge airport parking fees, either by using it as a drop-off and pick-up point or leaving their cars on the road for the duration of their trip, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The express drop-off point at JLA is conveniently situated directly opposite the terminal. However, it costs £6 for a stay of up to 10 minutes and £10 for 20 minutes.
Passengers possessing a valid Blue Badge can avail up to 40 minutes of free parking, while motorcyclists can park without charge in designated outdoor spaces.
The ECHO spent roughly an hour on Hale Road on Monday and witnessed numerous individuals and cabs utilising it for this very reason. An airport representative confirmed they are exploring methods to discourage travellers from this practice.
One local, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that vehicle damage and airport passengers misusing the street is a regular problem.
He explained: “It happens all the time. You get people dropping off and picking up all hours of the day and night. Doors slamming, beeping, things like that.
“We’ve had people park in front of our driveway in the past so you can’t get out. Now we tend to park the car on the road instead. Sometimes they say, ‘we’ll only be 20 minutes’ but that’s still a problem. My wife’s just gone to pick up my son from school because he’s not well. We would have been stuck if a car had been parked there.
“People have been talking [about the smashed windows] on the local Facebook group. Some have said, ‘you’ve got to respect other people’s property’. But where’s the respect for my property when they park in front of it?”.
“I understand people want to save money, but you’re spending £300 on a holiday and want to save £6 on parking? Plus, if you park in one of the official car parks it’s a secure site.”
The resident also pointed out there’s a bus service from Hale Road that transports passengers straight to the airport terminal, something he believes many travellers don’t realise exists. The bloke highlighted parking as one of several nuisances he and his neighbours endure from airport users.
He revealed: “I’ve had people putting their rubbish in my bin. I opened it up once and there was a load of used nappies in there. One of the neighbours had to deal with a woman pooing in her front garden. Cars sometimes park up on the pavement on the other side of the road, so people have to walk into the road. They could get hit by a bus.”
He claims to have repeatedly flagged these issues with Liverpool City Council and the airport over the years, but to no avail. He suggests that erecting fences outside the houses might be a solution, but remains sceptical about any action being taken.
An airport spokesperson said: “We are looking at ways to try to deter passengers from being dropped off and picked up on roads close to the airport, which is also causing disruption and is a nuisance for local residents at all hours of the day and night.”
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