TRIAL runs of a green tram that could help ease traffic congestion in Wyre Forest were put on hold this week.

The prototype Parry People Mover has been undergoing track safety checks on the Severn Valley line before the public gets the chance to ride on it but more technical checks need to be carried out.

It was the brainchild of inventor John Parry, who sees a future for the vehicle as an alternative option for commuters who would not need to drive into Kidderminster and Bewdley to catch onward trains to Birmingham and the Black Country. inventor John Parry with the prototype people mover.

Mr Parry said the gas-powered tram would be able to carry 50 passengers.

He hoped people would be able to try out the proposed service within days as part of the trials he wanted to carry out over the next month.

"We hope to invite people to ride on the vehicle," said Mr Parry.

He added "It wouldn't be the vehicle that would eventually finish up on the Severn Valley line.

"We will be building a special vehicle for that service but it's a matter of establishing whether there's interest in a tram service between Kidderminster and Bewdley."

He added: "We want to see whether, by carrying out a trial, we can see what benefits it will create in reducing traffic congestion in Kidderminster."

The trials were unable to commence earlier this week, however, as SVR carried out checks.

"There are one or two technical issues relating to signalling being sorted out," Mr Parry explained.

He added that members of the public had already contacted him to say they were interested in having a trial run - at a cost of £3 - on the tram and he would let them know when runs began.

He said: "It's remarkable and not just from people living in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport, but also for people from further afield interested in an environmentally-friendly vehicle."

He said the possibility of running a park and ride for the service from Foley Park for Stourport residents was being looked into.

"That would give them a five-minute shuttle into Kidderminster station," he explained.