BOSSES at a town golf centre -- who have came under fire recently over their calls to block up a lay-by outside their business -- have this week broken their silence.

Bromsgrove Golf Centre chiefs have spoken exclusively to the Advertiser/Messenger about the reasons behind their request for a stopping up order for the lay-by in Old Stratford Road.

The move promoted outrage among drivers, and the Advertiser/Messenger received scores of letters and there has been a 600-name-plus petition against the plan.

The company spokesman said they had no grievance with the lay-by's snack bar owners or the lorry drivers, but the situation with traffic, litter and anti-social behaviour had become worse over the years and something needed to be done.

He added: "The slip-road is right outside my house, as well as my business so I have many reasons why I want the lay-by closed.

"From a resident's point of view, I have children and am worried about their safety with articulated lorries being parked up for hours at a time, I mean who would want this sort of thing right on their door step?

"From the business side of it, we work very hard to make Bromsgrove Golf Centre and its surroundings something Bromsgrove can be proud of and then to see litter scattered on the floor and men urinating in the lay-by, it's just unacceptable," said the centre's spokesman.

Bromsgrove District Council is currently awaiting more detailed plans from the centre before making a decision.