Call for a ban on vans
Drivers could be banned from delivering goods to shop fronts in Kidderminster during the day amid escalating fears lorries and vans are posing a risk to shoppers and damaging pavements, town centre bosses say.
Officials claim delivery vehicles are creating dangers to people using the town during trading hours.
Members of the Town Centre Partnership are now calling for all deliveries to be made to the rear of shops or at times when there are no shoppers using the centre.
During the past two years, goods drivers have complained about confusion over access to the back of stores, with many saying there were not enough signs to point the way.
But the problem has now been solved by the erection of zone signs and officials say they should now be able to find their way more easily.
Shop owners have also been asked to ensure direction documents are sent out to delivery firms to prevent daytime deliveries along the pedestrianised area.
Members of the partnership say it is in the interest of traders to help themselves by ensuring the centre remains safe for shoppers.
Peter Picken, chairman of the Town Centre Partnership, said: "There have been ongoing problems for delivery drivers but now zone signs have been erected to make it easier for them.
"Some deliveries are still being made through the traffic-free centre during the day. We would like to see this stopped because the centre is supposed to be as traffic-free as possible.
"The zone signs are now up and we do want to try to encourage businesses to have deliveries made to the back of their premises.
"Only two premises do not have rear accesses and so we are once again asking shopkeepers to make it easy for shoppers by having deliveries made to rear accesses."
Shop owners are being encouraged to make sure they put details of their zone on any documents and orders sent to delivery firms.
