NEW car parking rules have now come into force in Amblecote.

The King William Street car parks, which have recently had major repairs carried out, will now have a maximum short stay of three hours on car park A which has 24 spaces and a 16-hour parking restriction on car park B which has 44 spaces.

The changes follow desperate pleas from business bosses who told how they were losing customers because they were unable to find a space on the free car parks which they say were being hogged by staff at certain local firms.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Traders, shoppers and local councillors asked us to look into car parking due to reports of people using them for long stay purposes and local shoppers not having anywhere to park.

“Following a consultation and listening to the views and needs of local people and businesses, we have introduced these parking restrictions to support local business and to help those visiting Amblecote. Those who need a longer stay can still use one of the car parks in each area.”

The car parks will remain free to use but the restrictions on the length of stay will increase parking capacity for people shopping in the area.

Dudley Council has also put in new arrangements for parking on two car parks in Roseville, Coseley, where there will be a maximum short stay of three hours stay on School Street car park and a 16-hour parking restriction on the Canal Street car park.