TRADERS in Bewdley are celebrating the return of 22 much needed spaces on the Dog Lane car park.

Contractors employed to install the foundations for removable flood barriers on Severnside North are moving off the car park following the end of the first phase of the multi-million pound project.

It comes as welcome news for the 84 town centre traders who have united to form the Bewdley Business Group in a bid to win rate rebates, claiming their livelihoods have been blighted by a range of disruptive projects over the last four years.

They say visitors are being deterred, with some shops reporting a 50 per cent drop in trade at weekends on previous figures.

Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor and Bewdley mayor Frank Baillie met the group on Friday to offer their support to the campaign.

Members will also hold a meeting with representatives of the district council and Bewdley Town Council on Monday, September 23 to discuss a plan of action, said group spokesman Colin Billingham, of The Emporium, Load Street.

Severn Trent Water is currently digging up Load Street to work on the sewer system as part of the flood defence project. Business people were outraged last week when the Load Street short stay car park was closed before the Dog Lane park had fully re-opened.

The group has predicted many traders will be forced out of business within two years.

Mr Billingham said: "We would like to thank the many local customers who have struggled to park and still shop in Bewdley.

"We also thank the many district and town councillors who are supporting us - and a special thank you to Dr Richard Taylor and Frank Baillie."

He also hailed Bewdley town and district councillor Stephen Clee, who has supplied group members with rate rebate application forms.

Meanwhile, police have warned anyone parking in coned-off areas of Load Street will face fines.