MALVERN Hills District Council could be faced with up to £500,000 in fines if it reopened the rear entrance to Upton's Hanley Road car park.

And as a result, the council has decided to keep the entrance closed indefinitely.

The warning comes from Zurich, the council's insurance company, which says the council will be at severe risk of prosecution if the entrance is reopened.

The district council closed the rear entrance in September 2015 after reports of people almost being hit by speeding motorists using the car park as an cut-through.

Concerned residents and traders petitioned the council to reconsider the decision in December 2016, claiming it was causing congestion and raising safety concerns about increased traffic on New Street. As a result, Zurich was asked to report on the risks of re-opening the entrance.

It warns if the council re-opens the entrance without putting any safety measures in place, it would be at severe risk of prosecution if an accident happened.

Fines involving councils in similar circumstances have ranged from £250,000 to £500,000. Insurers could also refuse to pay out in the event of a claim, meaning the council would also have to pay legal costs or compensation claims.

Steve Thomas, senior risk consultant for Zurich, said the car park entrance was closed for "sound, rational, risk based reasons" and added: "A simple decision to re-open cannot be supported and is strongly advised against."’

The council has also received separate legal advice which warned officers and councillors would also be at risk of criminal prosecution if they voted to re-open the car park in its current format.

According to Worcestershire County Council the only safe option would be to create a road through the car park with raised footpaths to protect pedestrians. However, this would cost at least £500,000 and would limit the car park’s use by HGVs.

Council leader David Chambers said: “Re-opening the car park entrance as is would continue to pose a serious risk to the public and we cannot justify the cost of the safety measures required when a cost-effective solution is already in place.

“However, we are listening to the concerns of residents, traders and Upton councillors who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue. That’s why we feel a review of potential future uses for the site would be more beneficial."