Drivers pay £6m to park

Motorists have forked out more than £6million on charges at Dudley Council pay and display car parks in the last three years, figures reveal.

The councillor responsible for transport said the money kept car parks clean and safe.

It comes after the Express & Star reported free on-street parking could be scrapped to ease congestion in town centres.

Meanwhile, pay and display charges could be cut.

In 2009-10 drivers spent £2m in fees at the borough's 30 pay and display car parks. The previous financial year the figure was £2.14m while in 2007-08, it was £2.19m.

The cabinet member for transportation, Councillor Angus Adams, said: "People have to take into consideration the cost of maintaining the car parks to a good standard, although some multi-storey car parks are badly in need of maintenance."

Councillor Adams acknowledged that the multi-storey car park in Bell Street, Stourbridge, was full of litter first thing in the morning while groups of youths regularly used it to skate board.

He added: "The council does not drop litter, it is people who have a total disregard for their environment."

He said the council and police patrolled Bell Street regularly.

"We are doing what we can to alleviate the problem."

A proposal to make motorists pay for on-street parking in Dudley, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Halesowen town centres has been put forward by deputy leader Councillor Les Jones.

He said charging people for on-street parking in the main town centres was fair as they were "premium spots".

He added cutting car park charges would help traders compete with Merry Hill where parking was free.

Council officers will meet to discuss the proposal.

The Association of British Drivers has criticised authorities which put up charges. At least 150 councils have brought in new charges this year.