Drivers ignore parking bay ban

Motorists are flouting a parking ban introduced because of safety fears in Stourbridge's main multi-storey car park.

Barriers have been installed to prevent parking in some bays to lighten the load on the ailing Bell Street Car Park and make sure it does not collapse.

But motorists parked their cars alongside the barriers at the weekend, leaving vehicles lined up along the sides of some floors.

The six floors open yesterday were swamped with vehicles leaving only enough space for cars to squeeze through.

Transport bosses from Dudley Council today slammed the actions of the drivers as "irresponsible" which was only increasing the risk to the car park.

Cabinet member for transport Councillor Angus Adams said they would now have to look at measures to prevent motorists from parking alongside the barriers. "We will look at putting signs up asking people not to leave their cars by the barriers," he said.

Trading bosses fear the measures will lead to a drop in business, but said the reasons for bays being closed was understandable.