The District Council’s above inflation 4% hike in parking charges and withdrawal of one day a week free parking in certain car parks in Bewdley, Stourport and Kidderminster is no more than a cynical stealth tax aimed at motorists. It will have a negative impact on trade at a time when our three town centres are already in decline. No more so than Bewdley.

Bewdley’s traders are struggling in the face of the partial closure of its main car park and the disruption to Load Street due to various works in 2016. This is exacerbated by continued disruption from works that continue to take place in the Dog Lane and Load Street car parks.

Just last month Councillor Rebecca Vale Cabinet Member responsible for car parks informed residents in Wribbenhall that evening car parking for the eight weeks up to January 8th would be free. What she failed to mention was that residents, visitors and tourists would pay for her act of seasonal goodwill in the New Year.