Council urged to remove "no loading" sign

SHOPS are facing closure unless a ban on loading in a Kidderminster street is lifted, a shopkeeper has warned.

Vera Tomlinson, who runs Woolwise in Lower Mill Street, said the erection of a "no loading" sign around a month ago on Black Horse Lane, at the rear of her premises, was creating problems for her business.

She said a delivery of 18 large sacks of yarn needed for sale over Christmas was recently returned to the depot because of the restrictions.

Appealing for Wyre Forest district councillors to help her fight the ban, the Conservative former councillor said: "We will be forced to close - make no mistake, without delivery there is no business."

She added she had been told the ban was part of an experimental order by Wyre Forest Highways Partnership unit, which had been agreed to by the district council.

"We feel very let down by this council and I beg you, on behalf of all the shopkeepers and their staff whose employment is under threat, to be fair to us," she said.

"Please review this decision and allow us to continue trading."

Mrs Tomlinson said she and other shopkeepers had phoned the highways unit, "to no avail".

She went on: "These shops are now surrounded by double yellow lines and there has been no consultation with shopkeepers. I've spoken to the relevant district and county councillors and it appears they were not consulted either."

District council leader, Stephen Clee, responded at last Wednesday's council meeting by saying it was a highways partnership unit problem but the district council would request the sign be removed.

Stuart Reynolds, Wyre Forest Highways Partnership manager, said the order could be varied. He said his unit was reviewing the situation with the local county councillor and insisted the relevant councillors had agreed with the proposal which stemmed from the concerns of police and traffic wardens about traffic congestion on Black Horse Lane.

He said the sign was erected to prevent congestion and a possible accident.

"It's not true to say that all parking has been eliminated," he added.

"There is sufficient parking to cater for everyone on the other side of the road and delivery vans can park there and make their deliveries."

He said if the traders approached the unit staff would listen to what they had to say.