Dudley parking plans pulled as costs reach £4m

Dudley Council had earmarked land in Tower Street for the development which would have provided 250 spaces.

It followed calls from traders for more parking in the town centre for shoppers.

But the council has now decided not to go ahead with the scheme because it could not justify the cost.

It was originally thought the multi-storey car park could be built for around £2.5m but because of it being in conservation area, the cost increased to between £3m and £4m.

Bosses are now looking at whether they can create a 'surface level' car park in the town centre - although it's expected it would have fewer spaces.

The decision not to press ahead with the multi-storey also followed discussions with conservation experts at Historic England.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said the council was still committed to providing more parking in the town centre.

"We have been doing some detailed work on proposals for a car park in Tower Street to help bring in more shoppers to Dudley as part of our wider regeneration work in the heart of the town.

"As with all projects of this nature we must assess the value of the money and in this instance the sensitivity of the location in a conservation area meant that the business model for the car park could not be justified.

"We are now exploring a surface level car park which will still provide valuable spaces in the heart of the town centre but at a significantly reduced cost per space.

The cost of the scheme would have been in the region of £3m to £4million."

Roger Scott, a town trader of 20 years, said he was disappointed by the decision.

"A ground level car park is less than satisfactory - it falls far short of what the town needs - but at least it's better than nothing.

"A three-storey car park would be far more beneficial and provide the convenience needed for shoppers and town."

Traders have long complained that the majority of existing parking spaces are on the outskirts of the town centre.

The multi-storey scheme was first mooted in January 2012 as a way of providing spaces closer to the market and the main shopping area.

In February, an archaeological dig took place on the site, which the council said was needed before work could start.

The work saw five 8ft trenches dug on the land, which is opposite the Dudley Evolve complex.

Archaeologists uncovered evidence of mediaeval street lay-outs and buildings. Some pieces of 12th century pottery were also discovered by the team.