Dudley's Labour group have urged the cabinet to retain an hour of free parking on council car parks, following proposals to cut free parking in the borough.

Earlier this month, the Conservative-led Council imposed parking charges on council-owned car parks across the Dudley Borough.

Initially, they proposed an outrageous charge of £2.00 for the first hour on all car parks. Following opposition at a meeting of the Environment and Regeneration Select Committee, this decision was sent back to the Conservative Cabinet for reconsideration.

Labour Councillors argued that these charges will have a devastating impact on town centres, local businesses, and leisure centres. Following consideration of the Committee's comments, the decision was made to reduce the charges for the first hour to either £1.20, £1.60, or £1.80, depending on the location of the car park.

However, opposition councillors say this still isn't good enough and are calling on the Conservative-led council to truly listen to local residents and traders, and introduce 1 hour of free parking.

Cllr Cathryn Bayton, councillor for St James ward said: “Traders are reporting takings are down by a third in Dudley Town Centre since these charges were introduced and leisure Centre classes are virtually empty.

"Dudley has been hit by the disruption of the metro, the interchange, and now parking charges - and the Conservatives simply do not care about the impact on traders and our town.

“The Local Government Association's report revealed significant financial and governance issues under the Dudley Conservatives' 7-year leadership.

"It should not be falling to Dudley residents and businesses to have to pick up the pieces for the Tories poor decision making.”