City MPs have claimed it is just a "matter of time" until someone is seriously hurt on gridlocked streets around a tip

Roads around the Lifford Lane Depot, in Kings Norton, are heaving with drivers who have opted to drop off their green waste instead of paying a £35 charge, dubbed the garden tax, to have it collected.

Northfield MP Richard Burden and Steve McCabe, who is MP for Selly Oak, say a serious incident could happen if action is not taken.

Police were called to the site in March as angry drivers found themselves stuck in mile-long jams as they waited to dump their rubbish.

The MPs have said that congestion around the Lifford Lane facility is causing severe delays, with some drivers attempting to cut along the outside of the queues to get on with their onward journeys.

The MPs have warned this congestion problem poses real and immediate risks of head on collisions and they are also causing significant hazards on the nearby Melchett Road, where parked cars line the road through Kings Norton Business Centre on weekdays.

The MPs have called for a summit with council bosses and the police to establish an action plan.

Mr Burden said: "There simply is not enough room in the area for the weight of traffic, especially when you see so many commercial vehicles weaving in and out trying to get to and from Lifford Lane as quickly as possible.

"A number of parked cars have already had their overtaking mirrors removed by passing traffic and it is only a matter of time before something more serious happens."

Mr McCabe added: "I have received countless complaints from constituents about traffic problems around Lifford Lane tip, it has become noticeably worse over the last few months with people going to the tip to get rid of their green waste.

"It is having a real impact on local businesses and residents and the council's response to this growing problem is just not good enough. If they don't get on with sorting it out someone will get hurt."

A city council spokesperson said: "In recognition of the potential for increased visitor numbers following the introduction of the chargeable green recycling service, we have altered the operational layout of the site during recent Bank Holidays and are looking at a range of other options which could improve the traffic flow.

"We understand that this is an issue of concern to both site visitors and local residents."

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