Shopkeepers in a Black Country town have warned they could be forced to close if a controversial red route is introduced. Consultation is now under way on the £630,000 congestion-busting scheme through Tipton.

It would affect the A461 from Great Bridge, through Dudley Port, up to the boundary with Dudley at Burnt Tree Island. It would involve banning vehicles from stopping on long stretches of the road, as well as parts of side roads off the A461, including Horseley Road and Arnhem Way.

Other proposals include new parking bays at Horseley Heath and upgrading junctions with Lower City Road and Tame Road.

Residents, commuters and traders were able to get a closer look at the plans on an exhibition bus at Somerfield car park in Dudley Port. Questionnaires have been handed out and interested parties have until tomorrow to return them.

But some businesses have said the moves could cripple their trade, while some residents have branded it a waste of money.

Mahmood Shahid, 31, manager of Horseley Heath takeaway Royals, said their business would be “destroyed” by a red route.

He said: “Most of our customers just pull up outside and pop in and it is the same for the other shops and takeaways along here,”

“We have five or six people working here, the same next door and all those jobs would be under threat. It would have so much impact no customers would come in.” And Pargat Singh Bassi, aged 45, owner of Bassi Sweet Centre also in Horseley Heath, said: “It’ll be very difficult for our business. We might have to close the shop as without parking, our customers can’t come in.”

Coach driver Cleveland Jeavons, aged 67, who lives in nearby side street Heath Close, said the system would cause misery for residents by forcing people to clog up the side roads and park outside their homes.

“It is just totally ridiculous,” he said. “All they are going to do is paint red lines down the road and shove the parking up side roads – making it more difficult for us.”

A retired maintenance worker, of Horseley Heath, said his family had two cars and had to park one on the road, but would not be able to do that if the lines were painted.