SHOPPERS have been urged to forget talk of a parking crisis and return to beleaguered Bewdley.

Fears have been raised the town's Dog Lane car park, on which space has been limited for the last 18 months due to flood defence work, is now being under-used.

The Bewdley Business Group, which was formed by more than 80 town traders to press for rate rebates in the face of ongoing town centre work affecting trade, has repeatedly stressed shoppers are the town's lifeblood and some establishments could fold unless things pick up.

Group spokesman Colin Billingham said a working group consisting of businesspeople and town and district councillors, which was formed following a meeting in September, was pressing for rate rebates from Government valuers.

Some food shops, he added, have suffered drops in trade of up to 50 per cent due to ongoing work, including a flood defence project on Severnside North, which saw contractors take up a large portion of the Dog Lane car park for 18 months.

However, all the spaces are now available - but are not being taken up.

And businesses are bracing themselves for more misery when the second phase of the flood defence scheme gets underway on Severnside South next spring.

"People need to be aware that Dog Lane is now totally open and all the shops are open for business.

"We are worried people have got used to not being able to park and don't even bother coming to Bewdley any more," Mr Billingham added.

His call echoed one made by Bewdley Town Council at its meeting on Monday.

Members noted people did not seem to be aware the lower portion of Dog Lane towards the River Severn is now back in action - and features disabled spaces with easy, no-steps access to the town through Severnside North.

The problem currently plaguing traders is the closure of the short-stay Load Street car park by Severn Trent Water which is carrying out a £1 million sewerage scheme connected to the flood defences.

The firm has responded to concerns raised at September's meeting and expects the Load Street car park to be reopened on November 22.

Town businesses will also be able to claim compensation.