SHOPPERS and traders in Stourbridge have been given a boost after extra free on-street car parking was created in the town centre.

Dudley Council has introduced 25 spaces on the right hand side of Lower High Street by replacing the existing parallel parking area – which provided space for up to 15 cars - with angled bays.

Transport boss, Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, said: “This will take the total on-street free car parking in the Lower High Street to around 70 spaces so we’re confident this common sense move will be welcomed by all.”

Councillor Pete Lowe, Dudley's deputy leader, added: “We pride ourselves on the fact that we don’t charge motorists for parking on our roads. And on top of this, we are always open to ideas about ways that we can increase and maximise the free on-street car parking we can provide.

“All councillors in Stourbridge have been involved in looking to create more free on-street car parking for the town. We are always looking at ways to support local businesses and we’re confident this will be welcomed by shoppers who use the town.”

Motorists can park for one hour, free of charge throughout High Street, Lower High Street and Market Street in Stourbridge, in addition to three hours free parking on offer at the 550-space Tesco car park in the town.

Some traders in Lower High Street had asked the council to consider increasing the on-street waiting time to up to three hours but a survey conducted by David Harcourt, president of the Stourbridge and District Chamber of Trade, showed that the majority of shop owners were happy to continue with the one-hour limit.