Parking chaos feared in move

An action plan will be hammered out to help Stourbridge cope with the loss of more than 300 parking spaces when the town's main multi-storey is redeveloped.

Traders and residents are concerned the town will be hit by parking chaos when Bell Street car park is demolished to make way for a new development.

Calls have already gone out urging Dudley Council to create alternative parking in the heart of Stourbridge long before work on the car park is set to begin in 2009.

Highways chiefs today said they had already considered a number of options but their hands were still tied as developers Modus had not yet submitted their full plans.

Resident John Shepherd, a member of Stourbridge township council, said it was vital traders, residents and visitors knew what was happening well in advance of the work starting.

"There is no point in starting the demolition and then worrying about it. People need to know what is happening so they continue to come into the town."

Councillor Angus Adams, cabinet member for transportation, said the loss of Bell Street would be significant and ways would have to be found to make up the number of spaces. "It could come down to asking the developers to work on the car park in stages," he said.