Car parking at Redcar McDonald’s 'could lead to someone being killed'

Cllr Chris Jones said takeaway drivers delivering from the McDonald’s at Redcar Retail Park had been frequently parking on pavements outside of the restaurant and causing a major hazard, while on one occasion he visited it had been “bedlam”.

Cllr Jones also said the police and the local council were also powerless to act since the retail park was on private land.

McDonald’s said it was happy to arrange meetings with Cllr Jones and continue to discuss the ways in which it was trying to mitigate the problem.

Cllr Jones, who represents the West Dyke ward on Redcar and Cleveland Council, said he had become frustrated at the lack of response to his complaints and accused McDonald’s of “putting profit over safety”.

He said: “There is going to be a fatality before long due to this irresponsible parking and behaviour.

“There are constantly cars parked all over the pavement, [leading] mothers with pushchairs and disabled people with mobility scooters to have to go on the road to access the retail park.

“Cars accessing and exiting the retail park are also sometimes unable to pass due to double parking.

“They [McDonalds] don’t seem to let the delivery drivers park in their own car park, they reserve the spaces for customers and staff.

“It’s a bottleneck and getting quite dangerous.”

Cllr Jones said since he originally highlighted the problem with the firm he believed there were now fewer delivery drivers operating from the site and they were also gathering outside on the road at a right angle to where they were previously parking.

He said: “They’ve just moved the problem on really.”

The Liberal Democrat councillor said he had suggested that the fast food chain lease extra car parking spaces for the takeaway drivers in a large nearby car park owned by retailer Frank’s The Flooring Store in order to relieve the congestion being caused, although this had not been taken up.

He added: “I am in full support of McDonald’s using partners to provide a delivery service and servicing customers who cannot leave the house, while creating jobs for the drivers, but this situation is causing a major hazard and a serious potential for harm.”

McDonalds said the safety of its customers and those using the retail park was a priority for the company.

A spokeswoman said: “We are aware of parking issues around the Redcar restaurant and are working closely with our delivery partners to ensure couriers are parking sensibly. 

“We strive to be a good neighbour in the local community and will work with the [borough] council to consider possible solutions. 

“We welcome the opportunity to further discuss these with Cllr Jones.”