Andrew Mitchell MP has met with Dave Kaye, the recently appointed Managing Director of National Express UK Bus services at their newly developed Headquarters at Birmingham’s Digbeth Coach Station. Mr Mitchell convened the meeting having received numerous complaints from constituents about the potential dangers caused by parked and unattended buses on double yellow lines in the vicinity of Newhall Walk Car Park as well as some residential areas. Andrew heard that the problem was not just with National Express but also with bus operators Arriva and Central Connect and that a lack of clear road signage and enforcement was the main cause of the issue. Dave Kaye said, “National Express asks all its drivers to take any layover time in the designated areas. All our drivers are trained to observe all highway regulations and to be courteous to other road users.” Andrew Mitchell MP said, “The situation at Newhall Walk, as outlined by many of my constituents, cannot be allowed to continue. I have therefore written directly to Birmingham City Council’s Chief Highways Engineer raising the issue of road signage. The no parking lines in the road are worn and in some places not visible which means that enforcement is not possible. If new signage was provided, we would be able to push for better enforcement of the current abuse by bus operators and motorists.” During the meeting Sutton’s MP also discussed the Government’s ‘Plan for Growth’ and how the Coalition intend to help improve the economic outlook of multi-national companies such as National Express. Dave Kaye agreed that the Coalition was dealing with the inherited deficit very well and the only way the Government could assist the company in its future expansion is to continue the downward trend in crime figures that has been apparent since the Coalition came to power last year. Photo: Andrew Mitchell MP and Dave Kaye at National Express Headquarters in Birmingham’s Digbeth Coach Station.