High Street traffic ban date

Traffic will be banned from Stourbridge High Street during the early hours next week despite staunch opposition.

From Thursday, it will be closed to all traffic, except hackney carriages and emergency vehicles, from midnight to 4am, on Thursdays to Saturdays.

The plan, which was agreed by council chiefs yesterday, has come into force to reduce congestion in the run up to Christmas to help clear the town of revellers.

The number of drinkers is expected to almost double in December from around 2,500 to 5,000.

Part of the plan was to move private hire vehicles to a new stopping off point in Lower High Street which has sparked of anger from residents who say there could be up to 500 journeys a night from taxis picking up or dropping off passengers. They say this will cause misery for people trying to sleep.

A petition with 400 signatures from residents and private hire drivers was lodged against the plans. Dudley Council, who are behind the ban, say with more and more people flocking to enjoy the town's nightlife, it is being introduced to help reduce congestion, enabling everyone to get home quicker and safely at the end of the night.

The ban also has the backing of police, other emergency services and licensed premises. Councillor Angus Adams, cabinet member for transportation, said: "Stourbridge nightlife is bustling as the town attracts more and more people for a night out.

"We want them to have a good time while they're there but we also want them to be able to leave quickly and safely at the end of it."

By Rebecca Jones