£30 fines slapped on motorists

Motorists flouting a new ban on traffic on Stourbridge's High Street from midnight to 4am have been slapped with £30 fixed penalty fines.

Despite well-publicised warnings over the ban, which came into force over the weekend, some drivers tried to weave past police officers to get into the town centre.

Officers dished out around 10 tickets in total, including six tickets to private hire vehicle drivers.

Police officers are being stationed along the High Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights while traffic is banned between 12am and 4am.

Officers cannot physically cordon off the town because Hackney Carriages and emergency crews need access.

But any other vehicles spotted driving into the town via the High Street are stopped.

Those caught are usually fined for using a prohibited vehicle on a restricted road and fined £30 with no penalty points.

Party-goers are still able to use taxis from the ranks at the top end of High Street.

Alternatively, they can book a ride home through a private hire company and arrange to be picked up in Lower High Street.

Taxi marshals, licensing enforcement officers and police will be on hand to help the public.