ONE hour of free parking comes into force on all council car parks across the Dudley borough from this Sunday (October 1).

A trial running since April has given motorists chance to park for free for two hours on council car parks in Dudley, Brierley Hill, Halesowen and Sedgley.

But from Sunday - the trial is changing to offer one hour’s free parking on all borough council-owned car parks, including those in Stourbridge and Kingswinford.

Council chiefs say they intend to make free parking a permanent offer in the borough from next April, as part of the budget-setting process.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We’re committed to providing free parking across the borough long term to help our local town centres thrive, but want to ensure we do this in the best way.

“So we’re changing the trial to one hour’s free parking on all council pay and display car parks across the borough.

“We continue to listen to local businesses, shoppers and visitors who we hope will welcome this latest move as a boost to their town centres.”

Information on current parking tariffs for Dudley Council car parks can be found online at www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/parking-roads.

To take advantage of the one-hour free parking motorists need to print and display a free parking ticket from the machines in place.

Normal charges will apply for people parking for longer than one hour and return is prohibited within three hours of leaving.