DRIVERS in Kidderminster are facing the prospect of a parking war as spaces are cut by almost a third.

The problem will begin in March when the KTC1 redevelopment gathers pace and preparations for the new Kidderminster College get under way.

More than 1,000 spaces will be lost at the Pitts Lane and the Market Street multi-storeys when they are demolished to make way for the redevelopment and college move.

And a further 21 will be lost if an expected deal is completed for the Swan Centre to buy back the lease from the council to run the Blackwell Street multi-storey next year.

Wyre Forest District Council owns the Pitts Lane and Market Street parks and holds the lease for the Blackwell Street property.

Leader Councillor Mike Oborski said the authority faced a "real problem" which called for drastic action.

Councillors Pauline Hayward and Steve Roberts, portfolio holders for traffic and transport and environment and development, have requested urgent reports from parking officers about options to tackle the situation, in particular concerning season tickets.

Mr Oborski said: "The short-term crisis is that the two projects are planned to go ahead at the same time.

"Both are essential for Kidderminster and can't be delayed but they leave us with difficulties."

He added: "We currently have space for 4,017 cars on council and privately owned town centre parks but this will be reduced to 2,806 as phase one of the town centre redevelopment is completed."

He anticipates drivers will be most angered at the sudden loss of much of Kidderminster's restricted season ticket parking.

It has already been withdrawn from the Pitts Lane car park. The Blackwell Street site will be unavailable for season ticket holders from January 1 and the Market Street car park will be demolished soon after.

The situation will ease late next year and early in 2002 when projects with accompanying car parking are completed.

Tesco will provide 600 new spaces as part of its new KTC1 store and a further 500 will be available at the B & Q store in Green Street.

The new college will also provide 80 spaces and a surface car park in Pitts Lane will create another 150.