Short-stay charges in West Bromwich will be reduced by half from 1 November to bring them in line with the rest of the borough.

Short-stay parking charges in West Bromwich will be reduced to:

• Up to one hour – 80p reduced to 40p
• Up to two hours – £1.60 reduced to 80p
• Up to three hours – £2.40 reduced to £1.60
• Up to four hours – £3.20 reduced to £2.40

From 1 November the cost of an annual season ticket across Sandwell will also fall in cost by more than a third to £240 per year. The pass previously cost £390 per year, a saving of £150.

Long stay parking – over four hours – will be set at £4 a day borough-wide. The current rate for long stay parking in West Bromwich town centre is £4 per day. Other long stay car parks are currently £2 per day.

The new charges will also be frozen until 2018.

Season tickets will also be valid at all long stay pay and display council car parks across Sandwell.

Charges will come into force for the first time at the public car park in West Bromwich Street, Oldbury, on 1 November.

Councillor Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council, said he hoped the reduction in costs would result in more people visiting West Bromwich for shopping and eating out. He said: “This is great news for shoppers and businesses in West Bromwich and we hope that by reducing parking charges in the town, it will give a boost to the local economy.

“As the reduction in charges is in time for Christmas, we hope to encourage shoppers to visit West Bromwich.

“Our charges remain very low and largely meet the cost of providing the parking service. The money from charges is re-invested into running and maintaining our car parks.”