A FORMER industrial site could be turned into a transport hub to provide a more integrated network, a councillor has suggested.

The redundant 65-acre British Sugar site on Stourport road, Kidderminster, is zoned for retaining industrial use. This could include a rail freight terminal on the Severn Valley line and a new parkway station on the main line, according to Howard Martin.

The environment and economic regeneration portfolio-holder at Wyre Forest District Council stressed his proposals were "pure speculation" and would be funded by business, not the district council.

But he outlined several benefits of a replacement train station, which would improve access to the network for Stourport residents and could include a park-and-ride scheme to encourage people not to drive into Kidderminster town centre.

"Chiltern Railways is starting a direct service to London in September and a park-and-ride facility with a parkway station would make the London link more viable," he said.

"There would be some effect on the roads but there would be an effective impact study. We're not in the business of making bad decisions."

Mr Martin said the development could open up Wyre Forest to tourists and provide "immense" economic opportunities.

He added: "We have to consider all the options. But it's years down the line."

Wyre Forest District Councillor Stephen Clee slammed the proposals as "crazy".

The Stourport Road area has insufficient infrastructure to cope with the extra traffic and Kidderminster's eastern outskirts would be a more suitable site for a park-and-ride scheme, he said.