Call made to see free parking

Calls have gone out for free parking in parts of Kidderminster amid claims that "unreasonable" charges are driving shoppers from the town.

Furious Liberal councillors claim it would be "short-sighted, inhospitable and foolish" to refuse free parking for an hour at Comberton Place which now costs 60p.

They are also concerned about the possibility of charges being introduced for all parking on the Horsefair car park following the completion of rebuilding projects.In a joint statement Worcestershire county councillors Mike and Fran Oborski said today: "Shopping areas on the edge of Kidderminster, such as Comberton Hill and the Horsefair, are a really vital part of the economic future of the town.

"Forcing shoppers away by charging unreasonable parking charges and undermining their viability will damage the areas concerned and do absolutely nothing to help Kidderminster or the district as a whole."

Councillor John-Paul Campion, Wyre Forest council's cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs, said: "Members of the scrutiny panel are looking at how we charge for the first hour of parking in certain areas and nothing has yet been decided."