More than half a million pounds could be allocated to improving the condition of borough car parks if budget proposals are given the green light.

Dudley Council’s proposed budget for the new financial year will be outlined at next week’s cabinet (December 15).

It includes plans to invest £360,000 over the next three years, as part of a five year programme, to start improving the overall condition of 60 borough car parks including pay and display and small free car parks. 

Another £180,000 would also be spent over the next three years on the ongoing survey, inspection and repairs of Pool Road and the Ryemarket multi-story car parks. 

Following cabinet, there will be a public consultation on the budget before it is goes before full council for the final seal of approval early next year. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said:

"Our residents, businesses and visitors to the borough continue to take advantage of the two-hour free parking on all council car parks which remains in place in an effort to support them.

"It’s right that we invest in our car parks to make sure they are in a good condition for the people who use them and to prevent more costly repairs in the long run."

This is a rolling programme and any plan to resurface the car parks would work in priority order.