DUDLEY town centre could be on the road to smoother traffic flow with a plan to open King Street.

Transport chiefs at Dudley Council are proposing to open up the road, between Union Street and Flood Street, to vehicles and provide limited waiting and car parking in the area with the aim of encouraging passers-by to stop and shop.

Currently drivers have to take a route around Flood Street car park to get from one end of King Street to the other.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley cabinet member for transport, said: “We have been aware of the King Street issues for a while and our engineers have been working on various designs with the purpose of bringing about positive change to this area of the town centre.

“We have listened to local businesses and the local community and have now developed a proposal which will open King Street to through traffic, make it easier to navigate, safer for pedestrians and improve access for local communities and businesses to make the most of passing trade.”

Council officers will be getting in touch with businesses in the area to canvass their opinions on the plan.

The authority has promised to maintain good access to bus stops and shelters.