COUNCILLORS have been accused of snubbing Wyre Forest's disabled after voting down a proposal to provide much-needed parking spaces.

Wyre Forest MP David Lock is livid with councillors on Wyre Forest Highways Partnership Forum who declined to create three one-hour disabled parking spaces in Church Street, Kidderminster.

He claimed he reached agreement with officers from the partnership about the spaces earlier this year.

He lobbied for disabled parking after health professionals on Church Street said a no-parking zone was having a "devastating effect" on disabled patients.

Mr Lock said it was "ironic" the councillors concerned were part of Wyre Forest District Council's ruling coalition which includes Health Concern councillors.

He stormed: "This is a total snub to Wyre Forest's disabled.

"It shows what those who work with Health Concern councillors feel about those in ill-health.

"I hope they are suitably embarrassed by their action to, at the very least, look at this again."

Church Street became access only to stop congestion in the cul-de-sac.

Highways Partnership manager Stuart Reynolds confirmed councillors had decided not to overturn the parking ban.

He denied previously reaching an agreement with Mr Lock to do so.

He said: "We agreed to look into the matter of disabled parking spaces rather than go ahead and do it.

"After all, we cannot contravene highway law by simply ignoring the access only.

"They did not want to go back to the days of drivers cruising up and down Church Street."

The access-only order was put in Church Street to stop congestion in the cul-de-sac.