Free parking reintroduced in council-run car parks

Residents and visitors to Dudley will soon be able to benefit from up to two hours of free parking at council-owned car parks.

From Wednesday, revised short-stay parking arrangements will come into effect across all applicable Dudley Borough Council pay-and-display car parks. Under the new scheme, motorists will no longer be required to pay for the first two hours of parking. Councillor Simon Phipps said he was “delighted” that the authority was able to reintroduce free parking, which had been withdrawn early last year due to budgetary constraints. The council stated that the initiative forms part of wider efforts to encourage increased footfall in local high streets and support businesses, with the expectation that it will provide a welcome boost to retailers. To take advantage of the offer, drivers must obtain a free ticket from the pay-and-display machine and clearly display it in their vehicle. Councillor Phipps added: “We recognise that many residents and traders were disappointed when free parking was previously withdrawn. We fully understand the impact of our decisions and do not take them lightly.”