Traders in uproar as new lines 'kill trade'

Shopkeepers are furious after double yellow lines were painted outside their Black Country businesses which they fear will kill trade.

The lines have been painted on both sides of the busy Dudley Road in Brierley Hill.

Shoppers have been parking outside shops for years and traders are in uproar, claiming Dudley Council kept them in the dark about the new restrictions. Owner of Waterfront News and Booze Papu Dheensa said he had no idea about the proposed parking restriction.

Council officers have since told him notices were put up on lamp posts but he feels letters should have been sent to businesses affected.

Mr Dheensa, aged 36, who has run the newsagent and off licence for two years, said: "I've not had any letter from the council about this and I'm disgusted at what the council has done.

"I reckon I will only be able to keep going for about a month, my takings were down by half yesterday.

"It's hard enough parking outside here without the lines and 90 per cent of my takings comes from passing trade. My customers are coming in and saying they can't believe what's happened."

Another trader, Steve Tandy who runs Modelcraze selling radio controlled cars, is also worried the double yellow lines will hit his business.

He said: "Already I have seen people pulling up outside and as soon as they realise they are on double yellow lines they drive off.

Dudley Council's cabinet member for transportation, councillor Angus Adams, said it was unlikely the lines would be removed.

He said: "The council does not put yellow lines down willy nilly, there must be a problem with traffic along the road."