FRUSTRATED Halesowen residents who have had difficulties parking near their homes are set to be provided with free overnight parking.

Car owners who live on the Highfields estate will soon be able to park on the nearby Andrew Road car park between 7pm and 7am, after Dudley Council lead officers and Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environment, agreed to the plans.

Belle Vale cllr Simon Phipps said: “The car parking issue around the Highfields estate have been going on for years.

“It was first brought to my attention when I was a candidate in 2015 and even then previous councillors had been working to try and get this for several years.

“I’m really pleased that the council has finally provided this free parking which will be a huge help to local residents.”

If used in addition to the recently announced two hours free parking on all borough car parks, then residents will be able to park free of charge between 5pm and 9am – once both schemes start on Monday, April 16.

Fellow Belle Vale cllr Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing, added: “We’ve been campaigning for this in conjunction with other councillors and the Highfields Tenants and Residents Association.

“I’m proud that the current administration have finally delivered for local residents after many years of parking problems.”