TRAFFIC restrictions around a busy Stourbridge park are being made permanent to ease congestion.

Parking along Norton Road has caused congestion around Mary Stevens Park and also stopped access for buses, but highways officials put restrictions in place in October 2016.

The measures to stop parking along lengths of the A451 have been successful at preventing the congestion, so the council is now looking to make them permanent.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “The congestion in that area was quite a problem and we had to look at ways of easing that around such a popular park.

“The A451 is such a busy route in and out of the borough and it is important we keep traffic moving especially buses.

“Not only that, but less congestion means less pollution, which has to be good news for people visiting this beautiful park.”