New parking spaces near Halesowen's Cornbow Centre
New parking spaces are being created close to a shopping centre in the Black Country.
Highways bosses have moved to make spaces available for shoppers around the Cornbow Centre in Halesowen.
It follows a request from traders who were keen for their customers to be able to park as close to their shops as possible.
From Friday, shoppers will be able to park on Great Cornbow, near the HSBC bank.
There will be around five spaces and to stop them from being taken by people working in the town centre, there will be a 45-minute time limit Monday to Saturday and no return for an hour.
However, as part of the changes on the road drivers will no longer be able to wait outside Halesowen Leisure Centre at any time.
Currently, there are double-yellow lines running along much of Great Cornbow.
Councillor Hilary Bills, environment boss at the Labour-controlled council, said: "We are looking to enhance an existing scheme in Great Cornbow following requests from traders.
"When complete the scheme will create more parking spaces in that area for people visiting the town. Once again, it shows we are a community council that listens to the needs of local people."
Halesowen councillor Alan Taylor said the measures will benefit shoppers but believes more free parking should be made available in the town.
He said: "The 45-minute time limit does allow shoppers to park in that area and do what they need to do.
"As Conservatives, we would look at bringing in two-hour free parking in all car parks.
"We believe if you have a two-hour time limit, people can get everything done that they want to."
The latest boost comes after 35 extra free short-stay car parking spaces were created around Halesowen town centre last year.
Spaces were made available in areas including Great Cornbow, Summer Hill, Pool Road and Birmingham Road.
