£6.7m project sees new parking spaces created in Dudley

Castle Street, New Street and Fisher Street which had been closed since the start of the year reopened to general traffic and buses on Sunday.

It follows work to lay natural stone on roads and pavements as part of the revamp of Dudley Market.

Four parking spaces along with a double bay for ring and ride and a disabled bay have been created in Castle Street. New lighting columns have been installed along with seating and litter bins.

Work was originally due for completion in May but hit delays due to problems posed by underground pipes and cables.

Work has begun on the market square where new stalls will be installed.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for transportation, said: "It is great that the first phase of this exciting regeneration project has been completed and that traffic is moving once more through this side of the town centre.

"The quality of this first phase sets the scene for the rest of this extensive regeneration project.

"I would sincerely like to thank all shops and businesses for their continued support during this time and I hope this first phase starts to bring with it immediate benefits."

Further works yet to be completed in Castle Street include the lighting of St Edmund's Church, improvements to the Earl of Dudley statue and Green Man Entry, which will improve the route between Tower Street and Castle Street and tree planting.

Meanwhile, there are also plans to bring the town's historic fountain in Market Place back to fully working order.

Water will once more flow from the 19th Century fountain in High Street after the scheme was backed by councillors.

Market traders have been relocated to temporary stalls on the other side of the fountain with additional stalls in Stone Street Square at busy times.

The work has already thrown up a number of archaeological curiosities including bottles of shoe polish dating back to the 18th century and oyster shells, revealing the favourite fast food of drinkers in the 1700s.

Dudley Council is also due to start work on a £650,000 scheme in King Street from August 25.

The road layout changed so the road is open to all traffic, not just buses and taxis.

The council hopes the move will improve motorists' access to the town centre and bring a boost to trade for businesses.

The route was closed by the council in 2001 following the opening of the town by-pass, in a bid to encourage the use of public transport.