PART of a Halesowen multi-storey car park has been closed off while Dudley Council assesses how much parking is needed in the town centre.

The top levels of the Pool Road car park have been cordoned off since mid-April and are expected to remain closed "until further notice."

Dudley Council said it has closed the levels off while it does a survey to assess the "capacity needs" for parking in the town centre.

It says there is still "ample parking" in the town and people can use Andrew Road, Birmingham Street and High Street instead.

The council had planned to demolish the multi-storey car park and build a new state-of-the-art college campus in its place, as part of a bid for £20million levelling-up funding from the Government, but the bid failed.

There have also been calls in the past to close the 1970s car park as it is plagued by drug users and anti-social youths.

Dudley Council spent more than £200,000 on repair work between the Pool Road car park and the Ryemarket car park in Stourbridge, which was also built in the 70s, in 2019. 

Andy Vaughan, interim director of environment at Dudley Council, said: “The council has closed the upper levels of the carpark while we undertake a survey to assess the capacity needs for parking in Halesowen town centre.

“These will remain closed until further notice, with the ground and first floor of the carpark staying open.

“There is still ample parking in the town, with alternatives also available on Andrew Road, Birmingham Street and High Street whilst we undertake this work.”

Two hours of free parking is available at any council car park.