TRADERS running well-known Kidderminster shops and a cafe could be waiting up to six months to get their own loading bay.

Woolwise, WH Grinnall and La Brasserie in Lower Mill Street currently have stock delivered at the rear of their shops via Black Horse Lane.

Parking enforcement officers, however, have been ticketing staff and delivery drivers parking in the road, near Marks and Spencer, because no unloading or loading is allowed.

There is one-hour parking on the opposite roadside but, if spaces are full, van drivers have nowhere to stop nearby.

Delivery vans cannot unload at the front of their premises because of existing parking restrictions. and a 4ft pavement drop from road level.

Tina and Roy Mantle, co-owners of Woolwise, have already had a ticket slapped on their Vauxhall Zafira car in the lane while loading shop stock.

A courier's delivery van was also booked while delivering to the store.

Mrs Mantle, who has run the wool shop for three years, said: "I bring a lot of trade into Kidderminster because we're a specialist store.

"La Brasserie do a lot of good food and there are many people who choose to shop only at Grinnall's.

"We've got good little businesses here but we're getting targeted and if it isn't sorted it is going to jeopardise our livelihoods."

She believes a loading and unloading bay would solve the issue for store owners.

Marcus Hart, Conservative Wyre Forest District Council cabinet member, said parking officers had to enforce existing traffic regulation orders placed by Worcestershire County Council, but agreed amendments were needed.

He is meeting county council highways staff on Tuesday to raise the issue of a loading bay in Black Horse Lane.

He explained the bay could take up to six months to be created in following consultation.